Why Is the Indianapolis Museum of Art Called Newfields?

Art|Art Museum

The Indianapolis Museum of Art, or Newfields as it is commonly known, is one of the oldest and most respected art museums in the United States. Founded in 1883, the museum houses over 50,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years of human history. It is located on the historic grounds of Oldfields-Lilly House & Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and one of the largest historic estates in the Midwest.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection includes a wide range of objects from ancient to modern times.

The permanent collection includes paintings by European masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer as well as works by American masters such as Robert Indiana and Edward Hopper. The museum also has an extensive selection of Asian art, including Chinese scrolls and Japanese screens. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum also hosts special exhibitions from around the world.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art was originally known as the John Herron Art Institute and was founded by local philanthropist William Harrison Stewart. Stewart wanted to create a public gallery that would make art accessible to all people in Indianapolis. He purchased Oldfields-Lilly House & Gardens for this purpose and opened its doors in 1883 with an inaugural exhibition that included works by Monet, Renoir, Cassatt and many other renowned artists.

In 1969, the name was changed to The Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), which better reflected its broad scope and mission. In 2016, IMA underwent another name change to Newfields: A Place for Nature & Culture to emphasize its commitment to connecting nature with culture through innovative programming.

Conclusion:

The Indianapolis Museum of Art was originally founded in 1883 as the John Herron Art Institute with a mission to make art accessible to all people in Indianapolis. Throughout its history, it has undergone several name changes before becoming Newfields: A Place for Nature & Culture in 2016 to emphasize its commitment to connecting nature with culture through innovative programming.