Butler Institute of American Art facts for kids
 |
|
| Established | 1919 |
|---|---|
| Location | 524 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, 44502 |
| Type | American art |
The Butler Institute of American Art is a special museum in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. It was the very first museum in the country built just for American art. A kind local businessman named Joseph G. Butler, Jr. started it.
The museum opened its doors in 1919 and has been serving the public ever since. This beautiful original building was designed in a style called Beaux-Arts architecture. It is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
What You'll See Inside
The Butler Institute has many amazing artworks. It shows off the history and culture of the United States through paintings and other art.
Famous Paintings
One of the most famous paintings here is Winslow Homer's Snap the Whip. This artwork shows kids playing outside a one-room schoolhouse. It's a tribute to a simpler time in American history. Did you know Winslow Homer painted two versions of this? The Butler's version has mountains in the background, while the other one, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, does not.
In 2007, the museum bought a painting by Norman Rockwell called Lincoln the Railsplitter. This large painting was once owned by businessman Ross Perot.
The museum also has a special collection of paintings. These artworks show Native Americans from the southwestern part of the country. These paintings were once part of Joseph Butler's own collection.
Other Cool Artworks
You can also see a famous painting of George Washington's wedding. There's also William Gropper's Youngstown Strike. This painting shows an important historical event that happened in the area in 1937. Another great piece is Albert Bierstadt's The Oregon Trail, painted in 1869.
The modern art gallery has a striking, life-sized painting. It's by Alfred Leslie and is called Americans: Youngstown, Ohio. This painting shows people connected to the Butler museum back in the 1970s. The museum also has many works by the artist Robert Motherwell, who was known for his Abstract Expressionist style.
Growing Bigger and Better
The Butler Institute has grown a lot over the years.
New Wings and Spaces
In 2000, a large new section called the Beecher Center was added. It was built with Youngstown State University. This part of the museum focuses on how technology and art can come together.
Two years later, in 2002, the Andrews Pavilion was added. This area has a sculpture atrium, a gift shop, and a café. It's a great place to relax and enjoy the art.
In 2006, the museum bought the church next door. They turned it into a center for education and performing arts. This means more space for classes, workshops, and shows!
Supporting the Museum
In 2007, the museum held an auction. Artists from all over the country donated their work. People came to view and buy the art. All the money raised helped the museum hire experts. These experts are creating an updated list of all the artworks in the museum. This also helps pay for printing a new catalog.
New Technology
The Butler Institute of American Art is also using new technology. In December 2021, the museum teamed up with Aira Tech Corp. They now offer an app called Aira. This app helps visitors who are visually impaired. It makes it easier for them to experience the artwork. You just open the app, tap a button, and an Aira agent helps describe each piece of art to you.
