When Was the Milwaukee Art Museum Built?

Art|Art Museum

The Milwaukee Art Museum was established in 1888 and has since become a cornerstone of the city’s cultural life. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the museum is housed in a unique building designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The museum includes a permanent collection of more than 25,000 works of art, as well as a variety of special exhibitions that showcase some of the world’s greatest artistic achievements.

The Milwaukee Art Museum began its life as the Layton Art Gallery, founded in 1888 by local businessman Frederick Layton. Layton’s ambition was to create a space where Milwaukeeans could appreciate and learn about art, and he built his gallery in downtown Milwaukee. After his death in 1919, his son Frederick B. Layton took over management of the gallery and expanded its collection significantly.

In 1957, with the help of philanthropist Russell Bubolz and other local supporters, the gallery was renamed the Milwaukee Art Center to reflect its growth and increased public interest. In 1974, it became known as the Milwaukee Art Museum when it moved into its new home on Lake Michigan – an iconic building designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Calatrava’s design for the museum features two distinct wings that come together to form an abstract version of a bird in flight – an homage to Wisconsin’s state bird, the robin. This innovative structure is made up of stainless steel panels that open like wings every day at noon and close again at nightfall – creating a spectacular sight for visitors who flock to see it each day. The building also houses a pedestrian bridge connecting it to nearby Discovery World Science & Technology Center on one side and Summerfest grounds on the other side.

Since its opening in 1974, The Milwaukee Art Museum has been dedicated to preserving and displaying fine art from around the world while also serving as an educational resource for visitors of all ages. It houses some notable works from prominent artists such as Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin and Pablo Picasso among others. In addition to these pieces from well-known names in art history, it also features numerous works from local Wisconsin artists as well as pieces from emerging contemporary artists around the globe.

The Milwaukee Art Museum continues to be one of Wisconsin’s cultural gems more than 130 years after its founding by Frederick Layton – offering educational opportunities for people from all walks of life while preserving some truly remarkable works for future generations to enjoy.

In conclusion, The Milwaukee Art Museum was built in 1974 based on designs by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and has been providing cultural enrichment experiences ever since then due to its large collection which includes artwork from both prominent historical figures like Monet and Picasso as well as local Wisconsin artists and contemporary artists worldwide.