Florida Museum of Photographic Arts facts for kids
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| Former name | Tampa Gallery of Photographic Arts |
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| Established | 2001 |
| Location | 1630 E 7th Avenue Ybor, Tampa FL, 33605 |
| Type | Photography Museum |
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) is a special place in Tampa, Florida where you can explore amazing photographs. It's one of only a few museums in the whole United States that focuses just on photography!
FMoPA shows how important photos are in our daily lives and culture. They also have cool programs for kids and adults. For example, they offer a Children's Literacy Through Photography program for kids who need extra support. They also have photography classes, workshops, and fun summer camps.
In 2023, the museum moved to a new home in historic Ybor City. This new spot helps FMoPA show off its huge collection and host exciting exhibits from famous photographers. Before 2006, the museum was known as the Tampa Gallery of Photographic Arts.
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Discovering Photo Art: The Permanent Collection
The museum has a growing collection of photographs that they own forever. This is called their permanent collection. It includes really cool and important photos!
You can see works by Doc Edgerton, who invented the strobe light. His photos show things happening super fast, like a bullet going through an apple! There are also celebrity pictures by Len Prince and famous photos by Dorothea Lange. You can even find a portrait of the legendary photographer Ansel Adams taken by Judy Dater.
The collection also has pictures of Pittsburgh by Charles "Teenie" Harris and unique works by Dianora Niccolini. If you're interested in history, you'll love the photos from the 1960s and 1970s. Burk Uzzle captured iconic scenes from Woodstock, and Bud Lee showed unforgettable views of the counterculture.
You can also see old panoramic photos from the early 1900s. These wide photos show historical moments like the building of the Panama Canal and early scenes of Tampa.
Working Together: Museum Partnerships
FMoPA works with other groups to make the museum even better and reach more people. These partnerships help the museum grow and offer more programs.
They team up with the Arts Council of Hillsborough County. This group helps promote the museum and gives money to support its work. FMoPA also works with the University of Tampa. They have a program that lets university students visit the museum for free to enjoy the art.
Museum Quality: Accreditation
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts is "accredited" by the American Alliance of Museums. This is like getting a special stamp of approval! It means the museum meets high standards for how it takes care of its collections, educates visitors, and runs its programs. It shows that FMoPA is a top-quality museum.
Exciting Shows: Past Exhibitions
FMoPA always has new and interesting exhibitions. These are temporary shows that feature different photographers or themes. Over the years, they have shown a wide variety of photographic art.
Some past exhibitions have included:
- Masters of Black & White photography.
- Shows by famous nature photographers like Clyde Butcher.
- Exhibits featuring historical photos, such as War and Peace: World War II.
- Works by well-known artists like Andy Warhol and Chuck Close.
- Exhibitions focusing on specific topics, like Gangsters, Pirates, & Cigars: A Photographic History of Tampa.
- Shows that highlight important social issues, like The Eye of the Storm which looked at the Black Lives Matter movement.
The museum often features photos from their own collection and from other museums. They also showcase work from their children's programs, like In Sight: Images from Our Children’s Program.
Sharing Stories: The FMoPA Blog
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts has a cool blog on its website. It's a great place to learn more about the museum's exhibitions, upcoming events, and the amazing artists whose work is on display. The blog also shares why photography is so important in our world.
Reaching Out: Community Programs
FMoPA loves to connect with the community! They have many outreach programs that help people learn about and enjoy photography.
They work with groups like the Girl Scouts and the Little Kids, Big Minds children's program. They also have special photography sales that help support the museum. FMoPA partners with other organizations too, like the Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts and the Hillsborough County Public Library. They even work with the Smithsonian Institution and the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
The museum offers many different photography classes. You can learn about:
- Analog photography (using film cameras).
- Basic photography skills.
- Creative photography techniques.
- How to take great photos of people and places.
- Product photography (taking pictures of items for sale).
- Even how to use your smartphone for amazing photos and social media!
Exploring Online: Digital Exhibitions
FMoPA also offers online exhibitions, so you can enjoy art from anywhere!
One online show is the Veterans Exhibition. For this, the museum worked with the Hillsborough County Public Library to display photos showing the experiences of veterans returning to everyday life. This exhibition helps veterans share their stories and supports their healing journey.
Another online exhibition is the 10th Annual International Photography Competition. This show features many different types of art from photographers around the world. A competition was held to pick winners in various categories, including:
- Still life (photos of objects).
- People/portraits (photos of people).
- Places/landscapes/drones (photos of locations).
- Abstract photography (art that doesn't show real-world objects in a clear way).
