When Was the San Antonio Museum of Art Built?

Art|Art Museum

The San Antonio Museum of Art is an important cultural destination in the city of San Antonio, Texas. Established in 1981, it is one of the largest museums in the state and features a wide variety of art from around the world. From European and American masterpieces to Asian and Latin American art, its collections span over 5,000 years of history. The museum’s permanent collection includes works from some of the greatest painters and sculptors in history, such as Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, and Rodin.

The museum opened its doors for the first time on April 24th, 1981. It was located in a historic complex that was originally constructed as a brewery in 1852. The building had fallen into disrepair by the late 1970s and was facing demolition when local civic leaders decided to save it by transforming it into an art museum. After two years of renovations and expansion, it opened to the public with a mission to “promote understanding and appreciation of art through direct experience with original works.”

Since then, the museum has continued to grow in size and scope with new wings being added throughout the years. In 1997, they opened a new wing dedicated to Latin American art which featured over 1,500 works from countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Peru. In 2001 they unveiled their latest addition known as “The New Wing” which showcases modern art from around the world.

Conclusion:

The San Antonio Museum of Art opened on April 24th 1981 after two years of renovations to an old brewery building that had been facing demolition. Today it houses collections spanning 5 millennia from some of history’s greatest painters and sculptors as well as modern pieces from around the globe.