The Toledo Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in the United States, with a history dating back to 1901. Founded by local art enthusiast, Edward Drummond Libbey, it has grown to become one of the largest and most respected art museums in the country. The museum is located in downtown Toledo, Ohio and boasts an impressive collection of more than 30,000 objects, including paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, photographs and works on paper.
The Toledo Art Museum was originally built in 1901 as part of the Toledo Library and Museum complex. It was designed by architects Edward B.
Green and William A. Starrett and modeled after the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The building was constructed with Indiana limestone and features a grand staircase leading up to its entrance. Inside the museum, visitors can explore its galleries which feature a wide range of works from different eras ranging from Ancient Egypt to modern day art.
The museum underwent an expansion project in 2006 designed by noted architect Frank Gehry; this project added more than 20,000 square feet of gallery space as well as a café, educational center and gift shop to the structure. The project also included an addition of a glass-enclosed courtyard which connects the original building with its new wing. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum also hosts numerous traveling exhibitions throughout the year which showcase works from all over the world.
The Toledo Art Museum is committed to preserving and displaying artwork for all visitors to enjoy; it offers free admission for children under 12 years old as well as discounted admission for seniors and military personnel on certain days. It also provides educational programs such as “Art Unleashed” which allows students to learn about different artists while creating their own pieces of art; other programs like “Artist’s Eye” allow visitors to explore different galleries with an artist’s perspective.
In conclusion, the Toledo Art Museum was built in 1901 as part of a library and museum complex designed by architects Edward B. Green and William A. Starrett; it underwent an expansion project in 2006 designed by noted architect Frank Gehry which added more than 20,000 square feet of gallery space as well as other amenities including a café, educational center and gift shop. The museum continues its commitment today to displaying artwork for all visitors to enjoy through free admission for children under 12 years old along with other educational programs such as “Art Unleashed” or “Artist’s Eye” that allow guests to explore different galleries with an artist’s perspective.