Milwaukee Art Museum

Milwaukee Art Museum
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Name	Milwaukee Art Museum
Location	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Type	Art museum
Visitors	400,000
Director	Marcelle Polednik

Milwaukee Art Museum. The Milwaukee Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in the United States, attracting over 400,000 visitors annually, including those from Chicago, Minneapolis, and Madison, Wisconsin. It is located on the shores of Lake Michigan, near the Harbor District and Pfister Hotel. The museum is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors and has partnerships with institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Art Institute of Chicago.

● History

The Milwaukee Art Museum was founded in 1888 as the Milwaukee Art Association, with the goal of promoting the arts in Milwaukee County. The museum's first home was a Charles Allis-designed building in downtown Milwaukee, which later became the Charles Allis Art Museum. In the early 20th century, the museum moved to its current location, where it has undergone several expansions, including a major renovation led by Eero Saarinen in the 1950s. The museum has also collaborated with other institutions, such as the Whitney Museum of American Art and National Gallery of Art, to bring world-class exhibitions to Wisconsin. Notable past exhibitions have included works by Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and Georgia O'Keeffe, as well as pieces from the collections of the Louvre and State Hermitage Museum.

● Architecture

The Milwaukee Art Museum's iconic building was designed by Santiago Calatrava and features a moving sun screen with a 217-foot wingspan, which opens and closes like a bird's wings. The building's design has been compared to the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, and has become a symbol of Milwaukee's cultural scene. The museum's Quadracci Pavilion features a grand entrance hall with a floor designed by Terazzo, and offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River. The building has received numerous awards, including the American Institute of Architects' Honor Award and the National Building Museum's Henry C. Turner Prize.

● Collections

The Milwaukee Art Museum's collection includes over 35,000 works of art, spanning from ancient Greek and Roman pieces to contemporary works by artists like Andy Warhol and Frida Kahlo. The museum is particularly known for its collection of German Expressionism, which includes works by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. The museum also has an extensive collection of American art, featuring pieces by John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer, and Mary Cassatt, as well as works from the Terra Foundation for American Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Additionally, the museum has a significant collection of African art, with pieces from the Yoruba people and the Asante people, as well as works from the National Museum of African Art.

● Exhibitions

The Milwaukee Art Museum hosts a wide range of exhibitions throughout the year, featuring works from its own collection as well as loans from other institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and the Tate Modern. Recent exhibitions have included a retrospective of the works of Francis Bacon, a showcase of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, and a exhibition of contemporary photography featuring works by Ansel Adams and Dorothea Lange. The museum has also partnered with other institutions, such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Walker Art Center, to bring world-class exhibitions to Milwaukee. The museum's exhibitions are often accompanied by programming and events, such as lectures by art historians like Robert Rosenblum and Kirk Varnedoe, and workshops led by artists like Chuck Close and Kiki Smith.

● Education and Programs

The Milwaukee Art Museum offers a wide range of educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages, including art classes and workshops led by artists like Richard Tuttle and Ellen Gallagher. The museum also offers tours and lectures led by art historians and curators, such as Theresa Papanikolas and Lisa Hostetler. The museum's MAM After Dark program offers extended hours and special events, including live music and performance art by artists like Marina Abramovic and Tino Sehgal. The museum also partners with local organizations, such as the United Performing Arts Fund and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, to offer joint programming and events.

● Building Expansion and Renovation

In recent years, the Milwaukee Art Museum has undergone significant expansion and renovation, including the addition of a new west wing designed by Jim Shields and a major renovation of the museum's east wing. The expansion has allowed the museum to showcase more of its collection and host larger exhibitions, such as a retrospective of the works of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. The museum has also made significant improvements to its facilities, including the addition of a new cafe and museum store, designed by Bruce Mau and Karim Rashid. The expansion and renovation have been made possible through the support of donors like Betty Quadracci and Michael Quadracci, as well as grants from institutions like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kresge Foundation.