Phoenix art museum
Encyclopedia
The Phoenix Art Museum is the Southwest United States' largest art museum for visual art. Located in Phoenix, Arizona
, the museum is 285000 square feet (26,477.4 m²). It displays international exhibitions alongside its comprehensive collection of more than 18,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. A community center since 1959, it hosts year-round programs of festivals, live performances, independent art films and educational programs. It also features PhxArtKids, an interactive space for children; photography exhibitions through the museum’s partnership with the Center for Creative Photography
; the landscaped Sculpture Garden; dining and shopping.
It has been designated a Phoenix Point of Pride
.
Shortly after Arizona
became the 48th state in 1912, the Phoenix Women’s Club was formed and worked with the Arizona State Fair Committee to develop a fine arts program. In 1915, the club purchased Carl Oscar Borg’s
painting Egyptian Evening for US$125 and presented it to the city of Phoenix to begin a community art collection. In 1925, the State Fair Committee expanded its community responsibilities and formed the Phoenix Fine Arts Association. The next major advance in the local art community came during 1936, when the Phoenix Art Center was created under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration
. Its director was the renowned painter Philip C. Curtis
.
As the city of Phoenix grew, it became apparent that better cultural facilities were required if it was to sustain its growth. The heirs of A.C. Bartlett, (most prominently Mrs. Dwight B. Heard, who with her husband founded the Heard Museum
), donated land to house such facilities. This area became the core of the city’s civic center.
In the early 1950s, Alden Dow, an architect, was retained by the Board of Trustees to design a complex that would house the Phoenix Public Library
, the Phoenix Little Theater (now the Phoenix Theatre
) and the new Phoenix Art Museum. To coordinate this endeavor, the Phoenix Fine Arts Association named the Museum’s first Board of Trustees in 1952 and its first director in 1957.
The museum was officially dedicated on November 21, 1959. Two years later, the board announced plans for an expansion, and in 1965 the museum was enlarged from 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) to 72000 square feet (6,689 m²). Additional expansions, led by design architects Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects
of New York, occurred in 1996. The Museum more than doubled its size with new exhibition galleries, a 300-seat public theater, a research library, studio classroom facilities, the PhxArtKids Gallery, and a café. Most recently, in 2006, the museum saw the opening of the Ellen and Howard C. Katz Wing for Modern Art, the Heather and Michael Greenbaum Museum Lobby, an expanded museum store and the 40000 square feet (3,716.1 m²) Bennett and Jacquie Dorrance Sculpture Garden. The museum’s growth has been funded, in part, by successful City of Phoenix Bond Elections and a voter-approved bond. A Board of Trustees also actively secures funding.
In the last 50 years, the Museum has hosted more than 400 exhibitions from all over the world, grown the collection to more than 18,000 works of art, and been visited by millions, including over one million school children.
, Thorne Miniature Rooms, and PhxArtKids.
The Education Division also facilitates a nationally competitive Internship program. Internships are offered to current undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates with requisite coursework, experience, and background. The program is offered year-round and project-based internships are also offered on occasion.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, the museum is 285000 square feet (26,477.4 m²). It displays international exhibitions alongside its comprehensive collection of more than 18,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. A community center since 1959, it hosts year-round programs of festivals, live performances, independent art films and educational programs. It also features PhxArtKids, an interactive space for children; photography exhibitions through the museum’s partnership with the Center for Creative Photography
Center for Creative Photography
The Center for Creative Photography , established in 1975 and located on the University of Arizona campus, is a research facility and archival repository containing the full archives of over sixty of the most famous American photographers including those of Edward Weston, Harry Callahan and Garry...
; the landscaped Sculpture Garden; dining and shopping.
It has been designated a Phoenix Point of Pride
Phoenix Points of Pride
The Phoenix Points of Pride are 33 landmarks and attractions within the Phoenix, Arizona, city limits that are claimed to represent the best features of the city for both residents and visitors...
.
History
Opened in 1959, the Phoenix Art Museum is located on the historic Central Avenue Corridor. It is now the largest visual arts institution in the Southwest with over 285000 square feet (26,477.4 m²) of exhibition space.Shortly after Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
became the 48th state in 1912, the Phoenix Women’s Club was formed and worked with the Arizona State Fair Committee to develop a fine arts program. In 1915, the club purchased Carl Oscar Borg’s
Carl Oscar Borg
Carl Oskar Borg was a Swedish born, American painter who was known for themes of the Southwestern United States.-Biography:...
painting Egyptian Evening for US$125 and presented it to the city of Phoenix to begin a community art collection. In 1925, the State Fair Committee expanded its community responsibilities and formed the Phoenix Fine Arts Association. The next major advance in the local art community came during 1936, when the Phoenix Art Center was created under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
. Its director was the renowned painter Philip C. Curtis
Philip Campbell Curtis
Philip Campbell Curtis was an American painter best remembered for his surrealist-inspired style scenes often featuring figures in Victorian dress. He was also the founding director of the Phoenix Art Center, which became the Phoenix Art Museum...
.
As the city of Phoenix grew, it became apparent that better cultural facilities were required if it was to sustain its growth. The heirs of A.C. Bartlett, (most prominently Mrs. Dwight B. Heard, who with her husband founded the Heard Museum
Heard Museum
The Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art is a museum located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. There is also the Heard Museum North Scottsdale branch in Scottsdale and the Heard Museum West branch in Surprise....
), donated land to house such facilities. This area became the core of the city’s civic center.
In the early 1950s, Alden Dow, an architect, was retained by the Board of Trustees to design a complex that would house the Phoenix Public Library
Phoenix Public Library
The Phoenix Public Library is a municipal library system serving Phoenix, Arizona, and operated by the City of Phoenix. There are 16 branches currently in operation citywide, anchored by the flagship Burton Barr Central Library on the northern edge of downtown Phoenix...
, the Phoenix Little Theater (now the Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix Theatre (Phoenix)
The Phoenix Theatre is a professional theatre company located in Phoenix, Arizona. Started in 1920, by a theatre troupe known as the Phoenix Players, the theatre is the oldest amateur playhouse in the United States, west of the Mississippi River...
) and the new Phoenix Art Museum. To coordinate this endeavor, the Phoenix Fine Arts Association named the Museum’s first Board of Trustees in 1952 and its first director in 1957.
The museum was officially dedicated on November 21, 1959. Two years later, the board announced plans for an expansion, and in 1965 the museum was enlarged from 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) to 72000 square feet (6,689 m²). Additional expansions, led by design architects Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects
Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects
Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects are a husband-and-wife architectural firm founded in 1974, based in New York....
of New York, occurred in 1996. The Museum more than doubled its size with new exhibition galleries, a 300-seat public theater, a research library, studio classroom facilities, the PhxArtKids Gallery, and a café. Most recently, in 2006, the museum saw the opening of the Ellen and Howard C. Katz Wing for Modern Art, the Heather and Michael Greenbaum Museum Lobby, an expanded museum store and the 40000 square feet (3,716.1 m²) Bennett and Jacquie Dorrance Sculpture Garden. The museum’s growth has been funded, in part, by successful City of Phoenix Bond Elections and a voter-approved bond. A Board of Trustees also actively secures funding.
In the last 50 years, the Museum has hosted more than 400 exhibitions from all over the world, grown the collection to more than 18,000 works of art, and been visited by millions, including over one million school children.
Collections
The museum has nine curatorial departments: American, Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, Fashion, Modern, Contemporary, and Photography. Additionally, the Museum contains three specialized galleries: Art of Philip C. CurtisPhilip Campbell Curtis
Philip Campbell Curtis was an American painter best remembered for his surrealist-inspired style scenes often featuring figures in Victorian dress. He was also the founding director of the Phoenix Art Center, which became the Phoenix Art Museum...
, Thorne Miniature Rooms, and PhxArtKids.
Education
The museum offers several educational programs. The museum's Education Division programming is segmented by audience and type of learning strategy to accommodate a range of ages and learning styles, both formal and informal.The Education Division also facilitates a nationally competitive Internship program. Internships are offered to current undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates with requisite coursework, experience, and background. The program is offered year-round and project-based internships are also offered on occasion.
Lemon Art Research Library
The Lemon Art Research Library is a non-circulating research library with an emphasis on the museum's art collection. It contains more than 40,000 books, periodicals, artist files and more. It is the largest specialized fine arts library in the region. It is free of charge, during public hours.Funding
Community support accounts for approximately 80% of the museum’s revenue through admissions, membership and earned revenue, which includes the store and facility rentals. Government support of the museum is approximately 3% of the budget; corporate contributions constitute approximately 10% of the budget. The Museum's endowment contributes the remainder, approximately 7%.External links
- Phoenix Art Museum website