The Minnesota Museum of American Art ("The M") is an American

art museum An art museum or art gallery is a building or space for the display of art, usually from the museum's own Collection (artwork), collection. It might be in public or private ownership, be accessible to all, or have restrictions in place. Although ...

located in the Historic Pioneer Endicott building in

Saint Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (often abbreviated St. Paul) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County, Minnesota, Ramsey County. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, ...

. The museum holds more than 5,000 artworks that showcase the unique voice of American artists from the 19th century to the present. Guided by the belief that art should reflect the constantly shifting landscape that defines the American experience, the museum desires to celebrate the work of artists from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as new voices that have emerged from communities of color, immigrants, their children and grandchildren.

History

The Minnesota Museum of American Art was founded in 1894 as the St. Paul School of Fine Arts; membership at the time cost $3. In 1909 the name changed to the St. Paul Institute (or St. Paul Institute of Art and Science) and briefly became part of the forerunner to the

Science Museum of Minnesota The Science Museum of Minnesota is a museum in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, focused on topics in technology, natural history, physical science, and mathematics education. Founded in 1907, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution has 38 ...

. From 1910 to 1918, artist

Lee Woodward Zeigler Lee Woodward Zeigler, also known as Albert Lee Zeigler, (May 7, 1868—June 16, 1952) was an American artist who began his career as an illustrator and later worked as a muralist. Early life and education Born Albert Lee Zeigler, on May 7, 1 ...

was the director of the Saint Paul Institute. The museum incorporated in 1927. In 1939 it was renamed the St. Paul Gallery and School of Art. The institution began collecting art in 1940 after receiving a collection of

Chinese jade Chinese jade refers to the jade mined or carved in China from the Neolithic onward. It is the primary hardstone of Chinese sculpture. Although deep and bright green jadeite is better known in Europe, for most of China's history, jade has c ...

art pieces in a

bequest A devise is the act of giving real property by will, traditionally referring to real property. A bequest is the act of giving property by will, usually referring to personal property. Today, the two words are often used interchangeably due to thei ...

. In 1962 it was known as the St. Paul Art Center. It was renamed the Minnesota Museum of Art in 1969 and changed locations to the Jemne Building, an art deco building. The name changed again to the Minnesota Museum of American Art (MMAA) in 1992 after a failed fundraising effort which included the sale of the Jemne Building and a move to the Landmark Center. In 2009, on the brink of bankruptcy, the MMAA galleries closed after losing its gallery space to redevelopment, though it maintained offices and traveling exhibitions.Roberts, Chris (November 21, 2008)
MMAA in St. Paul to close indefinitely.

MPR News Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is a public radio network for the state of Minnesota. With its three services, News & Information, YourClassical MPR and The Current, MPR operates a 46-station regional radio network in the upper Midwest. MPR has ...

Most of the works were put in storage. In 2012 the museum announced it would reopen for limited hours in the Pioneer Building in October of that year.Combs, Marianne (June 15, 2012)
MN Museum of American Art finds a home.

In December 2018 the MMAA opened an expanded permanent facility designed by Minneapolis-based architects VJAA in the Pioneer Endicott building complex. Further expansion, including a new wing for the museum's permanent collection galleries, is scheduled to open in 2023.

Collection

The collection of more than 5,000 works showcases the unique voices of American artists from the 19th century to the present, including new voices, as well as masters from the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection includes the largest institutional collection of the works of

Paul Manship Paul Howard Manship (December 25, 1885 – January 31, 1966) was an American Sculpture, sculptor. He consistently created mythological pieces in a classical style, and was a major force in the Art Deco in the United States, Art Deco movement. ...

and George Morrison; works by American masters Thomas Hart Benton,

Joan Mitchell Joan Mitchell (February 12, 1925 – October 30, 1992) was an American artist who worked primarily in painting and printmaking, and also used pastel and made other works on paper. She was an active participant in the New York School of artis ...

Romare Bearden Romare Bearden (, ) (September 2, 1911 – March 12, 1988) was an American artist, author, and songwriter. He worked with many types of media including cartoons, oils, and collages. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bearden grew up in New York C ...

Ed Ruscha Edward Joseph Ruscha IV (, ''roo-SHAY''; born December 16, 1937) is an American artist associated with the anti- pop art movement. He has worked in the media of painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, and film. He is also noted for creating s ...

, and

Louise Nevelson Louise Nevelson (September 23, 1899 – April 17, 1988) was an American sculptor known for her monumental, monochromatic, wooden wall pieces and outdoor sculptures. Born in the Poltava Governorate of the Russian Empire (present-day Kyiv Oblast, ...

; important works of craft and folk art; and work by emerging contemporary American artists with a specific emphasis on artists from Minnesota, including Wing Young Huie,

Julie Buffalohead Julie Buffalohead (born 1974) is a contemporary Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Indigenous artist from the United States and member of Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. Her work mainly focuses on themes of racial injustice, indigenous rights, ...

and

Warren MacKenzie Warren MacKenzie (February 16, 1924 – December 31, 2018) was an American craft Pottery, potter. He grew up in Wilmette, Illinois the second oldest of five children. His high school days were spent at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illino ...

Services

The museum features rotating exhibitions on display in its gallery spaces, and during the pandemic it expanded its reach through street-facing Window Galleries and Skyway Installation. The M has a dedicated learning space, the Josephine Adele Ford Center for Creativity, which includes the Wide Open Studio, a space available for drop-in making activities. Other services include Family Days, studio art classes, at-home activities, and lectures and conversations with artists. The museum also partners with artists, schools, libraries, and cultural organizations around the state to bring the M into Minnesota communities. Although its indoor galleries are currently closed, museum admission is typically free.

References

External links

* {{Authority control 1894 establishments in Minnesota Art museums and galleries in Minnesota Art museums and galleries established in 1894 Museums in Saint Paul, Minnesota

History

Collection

Services

See also

References

External links