Bakersfield Museum of Art
Encyclopedia
The Bakersfield Museum of Art is an art museum, in Bakersfield
, California
. It is located in Central Park
, on the corner of 19th St. and R St. It has four galleries, which contains a permanent collection mainly from regional artists, as well as room for traveling art exhibits. In 1991, it was accredited by the American Association of Museums
.
When the museum was completed, it was turned over to the city for maintenance. It was operated by volunteers of the Bakersfield Art Association, and the city appointed Art Commission. Primarily the museum would showcase the work of local artists and occasionally a traveling art show. It would also be surrounded by gardens, which would showcase sculptures and other art forms.
In 1990, the museum was transferred from the city to the Bakersfield Art Foundation, an independent governing agency. At that time, the name was changed to the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Since then, the museum has seen many changes. In 1991, one year after the transfer, the museum was accredited by the American Association of Museums. In 1997, with major endowments from Patricia Crail Brown Foundation and the late Dr. George and Millie Ablin, the museum started a campaign to expand. In June of the same year, the foundation purchased the land the museum occupied from the city. Work then started on expanding the facility. By 2001, construction on the 17400 square feet (1,616.5 m²) structure was completed.
The museums mission is to: "[provide] a broad spectrum of visual arts experiences through the exhibition and preservation of fine art, educational programs, community outreach, and special events."
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is located in Central Park
Mill Creek (Bakersfield)
Mill Creek is a linear park located in Bakersfield, California. It runs along the Kern Island Canal between Golden State Ave. and California Ave. in downtown, although there is a gap between 19th St. and the BNSF railroad yard. The center of the park is Central Park, the only park in downtown. The...
, on the corner of 19th St. and R St. It has four galleries, which contains a permanent collection mainly from regional artists, as well as room for traveling art exhibits. In 1991, it was accredited by the American Association of Museums
American Association of Museums
The American Association of Museums is a non-profit association that has brought museums together since its founding in 1906, helping develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and advocating on issues of concern to the museum community...
.
History
The museum was founded in 1956 by the Walter Osborn family. The museum was originally named the Cunningham Art Gallery, in memory of their daughter, Marion Osborn Cunningham (1911–1948). Their donation, combined with others, allowed the museum to be constructed in Central Park on the southeast side of downtown.When the museum was completed, it was turned over to the city for maintenance. It was operated by volunteers of the Bakersfield Art Association, and the city appointed Art Commission. Primarily the museum would showcase the work of local artists and occasionally a traveling art show. It would also be surrounded by gardens, which would showcase sculptures and other art forms.
In 1990, the museum was transferred from the city to the Bakersfield Art Foundation, an independent governing agency. At that time, the name was changed to the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Since then, the museum has seen many changes. In 1991, one year after the transfer, the museum was accredited by the American Association of Museums. In 1997, with major endowments from Patricia Crail Brown Foundation and the late Dr. George and Millie Ablin, the museum started a campaign to expand. In June of the same year, the foundation purchased the land the museum occupied from the city. Work then started on expanding the facility. By 2001, construction on the 17400 square feet (1,616.5 m²) structure was completed.
Description
The Bakersfield Museum of Art is 17400 square feet (1,616.5 m²). It contains two large galleries and two smaller galleries. It also has two classrooms and a banquet hall. Outside, the museum has several gardens which display various sculptures and other art forms. The museum’s permanent collection is primarily from regional artists.The museums mission is to: "[provide] a broad spectrum of visual arts experiences through the exhibition and preservation of fine art, educational programs, community outreach, and special events."