Indianapolis Museum of Art

Indianapolis Museum of Art
An overhead view of the Indianapolis Museum of Art campus, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
Map
Established1883; 141 years ago (1883)
Location4000 Michigan Road
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Coordinates39°49′33.24″N 86°11′7.80″W / 39.8259000°N 86.1855000°W / 39.8259000; -86.1855000
TypeArt museum
Collection size54,000[1]
Visitors442,500 (2019)[2]
DirectorBelinda Tate
PresidentMichael Kubacki (interim)
Public transit accessLocal Transit IndyGo 34, 38
Bike transport Indiana Pacers Bikeshare
Websitediscovernewfields.org Edit this at Wikidata

The Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) is an encyclopedic art museum located at Newfields, a 152-acre (62 ha) campus that also houses Lilly House, The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, the Gardens at Newfields, the Beer Garden, and more. It is located at the corner of North Michigan Road and West 38th Street, about three miles north of downtown Indianapolis, northwest of Crown Hill Cemetery. There are exhibitions, classes, tours, and events, many of which change seasonally. The entire campus and organization was previously referred to as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, but in 2017 the campus and organization were renamed "Newfields" as part of a branding campaign. The "Indianapolis Museum of Art" now specifically refers to the main art museum building that acts as the cornerstone of the campus, as well as the legal name of the organization doing business as Newfields.[3]

The Indianapolis Museum of Art is the ninth oldest[4][note 1] and eighth largest encyclopedic art museum in the United States.[6][note 2] The permanent collection comprises over 54,000 works, including African, American, Asian, and European pieces.[1][7] Significant areas of the collection include: Neo-Impressionist paintings; Japanese paintings of the Edo period; Chinese ceramics and bronzes; paintings, sculptures, and prints by Paul Gauguin and the Pont-Aven School; a large number of works by J. M. W. Turner; and a growing contemporary art and design collection.[8][9] Other areas of emphasis include textiles and fashion arts[10] as well as a focus on modern design.[11]

Founded in 1883 as the Art Association of Indianapolis, the first permanent museum was opened in 1906 as part of the John Herron Art Institute. In 1969, the Art Association of Indianapolis changed its name to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and in 1970 the museum moved to its current location.[5] Among the Art Association's founders was May Wright Sewall (1844–1920), known for her work in the women's suffrage movement. Other supporters have included Booth Tarkington (1869–1946), Eli Lilly (1885–1977), Herman C. Krannert (1887–1972), and Caroline Marmon Fesler (1878–1960). The associated John Herron Art Institute was established with the help of notable Hoosier Group artists T. C. Steele and William Forsyth.[5]

The museum is widely recognized as innovative in its development of open source technologies, institutional transparency, and collaboration between museums.[12][13][14][15][16][17] In 2008, the IMA became the first fine art museum to be named an Energy Star partner due to its greening initiative and efforts to reduce energy consumption.[18] In 2009, the IMA was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service for public service, specifically the museum's free admission policy and educational programming.[19] The free admission policy began in 1941 and remained in place until 2007, when an admission fee for non-members was instated. Free admission returned a year later and remained until 2014, when a fee was reinstated for non-members.

  1. ^ a b Pogrebin, Robin (March 10, 2019). "Clean House to Survive? Museums Confront Their Crowded Basements". The New York Times. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  2. ^ "Most Popular Indianapolis-Area Attractions". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "2018 Form 990 Tax Return" (PDF). Newfields. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  4. ^ "Indianapolis Museum of Art Receives Nation's Highest Award for Community Service". ArtDaily. October 9, 2009. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Robinson, Anne P.; S.L. Berry (2008). Every Way Possible: 125 Years of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Indianapolis Museum of Art. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-936260-85-3.
  6. ^ a b AAMD Statistical Survey 2010. New York: Association of Art Museum Directors. 2010.
  7. ^ Yancey, Kitty B. (May 22, 2009). "Summer travel '09: Freebies across the USA". USA Today.
  8. ^ "Anna Grace Ritchie assisted museum with J.M.W. Turner art collection". The Indianapolis Star. January 2, 2000. ProQuest 240245299.
  9. ^ "Interview: Linda Duke". IDEAS. Museum Identity. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  10. ^ Harpaz, Beth J. (February 8, 2011). "Fashion Museums From NYC to LA, Paris and More". ABC News. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  11. ^ Lloyd, Christopher (September 9, 2007). "A wider canvas; Savvy ads and new exhibits boost IMA attendance and membership". The Indianapolis Star. ProQuest 240908321.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference MW2010BestofWeb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference DeaccessionArtsJournal was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference IMALabRefresh was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference Pogrebin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference IMALabArtInfo was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Taylor, Kate (April 7, 2009). "ArtBabble Site Opens Window to World of Museums". The New York Times.
  18. ^ O'Donnell, Susannah C. (January–February 2010). "Star Power". Museum. American Association of Museums.
  19. ^ Bowen, Katherine (2009). National Medal for Museum and Library Service (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Institute of Museum and Library Services. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 25, 2010.


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