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| Description |
| The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette is a strong regional museum that celebrates the art of Indiana and America via collections, exhibitions, educational programs, and services for a wide range of constituents. |
| Background |
| The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette was formed on April 14, 1909, amongst “a general awakening of art interest all over our country and state.” That evening twenty-five citizens came together to found the Lafayette Art Association (LAA) with a purpose “to stimulate and encourage interest in art, and to give annual exhibitions, and also to establish and maintain permanent collections of works of art.”
By 1958, the Association had outgrown this space and bought a piece of land to build on from the Tippecanoe County Historical Association, also in downtown Lafayette. On October 2, 1960, the new building was dedicated as the Lafayette Art Center. In March 1980, a new wing was opened that added 3,000 square feet to the original building to provide space for permanent collection galleries. Another wing was added in 1988 that provided 2,500 square feet that included a community room.
As early as 1931, records indicate that “art classes had been held,” and when the Museum’s new building opened in October 1960, “the children’s art classes were to begin…they were to be for six weeks on Saturday mornings, two classes at a time with two teachers. Subject to be general children’s art; classes to be held for one and one half hours. The Association would furnish part of the material for each child.” For the last twenty-five years, the Art Museum has offered quarterly art classes for children and adults taught by professional artist-instructors. Facilities include a pottery studio, a photography studio, and a mixed media classroom (1,300 square feet) that provides space for painting, sculpture, watercolor, pastels, drawing, printmaking and fabric classes.
In 1982, upon accreditation from the American Association of Museums, the Lafayette Art Association was re-incorporated as the Greater Lafayette Museum of Art. In August 2000, upon the approval of a strategic plan, the Greater Lafayette Museum of Art was renamed the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette and its mailing address was changed to 102 South 10th Street to reflect the physical location of its main entrance.
The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette was accepted into the Smithsonian Institutions Affiliation Program in the summer of 2003, becoming the first and only Indiana Affiliate. The Smithsonian partnership provides art works to supplement Museum exhibitions, as well as educational resources and expertise in the areas of conservation, collections care, and exhibit development.
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| Services Offered |
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- Assisting in Planning Arts Events
- Education presentations to schools, community organizations
- Other
| We offer a vast array of classes, such as painting, photography, and ceramics. |
- Offer Works for Sale
- Doing demonstrations
- Speaking About My Work Before a Group
- Teach Art Form
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| Availability |
| Open Every Day 11-4 |
| Fees |
| Our galleries are open free of charge to the public. We also rent our facitilies for special events. Our class programs have individual costs. Membership in the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette comes at different levels, depending on the amount given. Please contact the Museum for specific information. |
| Visitor Information |
| business hours: M-F 9-5
gallery hours: Open Every Day 11-4
Closed on major Holidays.
The galleries are wheelchair-accessible; please ring bell at 9th street entrance |
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