Monterey Museum of Art facts for kids
The Monterey Museum of Art (often called MMA) is a cool art museum in Monterey, California. It started in 1959. The museum's main goal is to connect with people and show off all kinds of art from California. This includes paintings, sculptures, photos, and other art forms from the 1800s to today. They have special collections that highlight art from Northern and Central California, especially early art from the Carmel Art Colony.
The museum is located at 559 Pacific Street in the middle of historic downtown Monterey. This location has eight galleries where art is displayed. It also has offices for the museum staff, the Buck Education Center, and part of its historical records.
In 1983, the Monterey Museum of Art also got a historic place called La Mirada. This estate shows the history of the Monterey area. La Mirada is usually closed to the public. However, it opens for special museum events, programs, or if someone rents it. You can also visit La Mirada for educational purposes or research if you make an appointment.
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Discover Art: Exhibitions and Programs
The Monterey Museum of Art (MMA) usually puts on about twenty different art shows each year. These shows include special themes from their own collection. They also feature local artists and big traveling exhibitions from other museums. Besides showing art, the museum offers many educational programs. These programs help thousands of young people in the area every year. They also have special tours led by guides, art classes, talks, workshops, and exhibition tours.
Free Fun Days at the Museum
MMA wants everyone to be able to enjoy art. That's why they have two ongoing events that make the museum more accessible. On "Free Family Fun Days," which are usually on the first Saturday of each month, the museum is free for everyone from 11 AM to 3 PM. During these days, families can enjoy hands-on art activities. On "First Fridays," the museum is free from 5 PM to 7 PM. People can explore the galleries, listen to live music, and try an art activity.
The museum also hosts its yearly "Block Party" in April. This is a free, all-day art festival that brings over 4,000 people to downtown Monterey. In December, they have "Iluminado," a month-long celebration of togetherness, creativity, and wonder. A big part of "Iluminado" is art installations that people can help create and that change throughout the month.
Learning with the Museum
Other local schools and groups often use the museum as a learning resource. These include Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey Institute of International Studies, the Defense Language Institute, and California State University Monterey Bay. The museum also offers tours for students from elementary school through high school during the school year.
Explore the Museum's Art Collection
The museum's permanent collection focuses on celebrating the wide variety of California art. This includes art from the past, present, and future. The collection has more than 14,000 art pieces. These pieces are grouped into different areas: early California painting (from 1875 to 1945), photography, and contemporary art (from 1945 to today). Some of the most important works in the collection are by artists like Armin Hansen, William Ritschel, M. Evelyn McCormick, and E. Charlton Fortune. It also features famous photographers like Edward Weston and Ansel Adams.
Early California Paintings
Here are some notable artists whose works are in the museum. They created art in California in the late 1800s and early 1900s:
- Jules Tavernier
- E. Charlton Fortune
- Evelyn McCormick
- Gottardo Piazzoni
- Francis McComas
- William Ritschel
- Armin Hansen
Amazing Photography Collection
The museum's permanent collection includes works by these photographers:
- Carleton Watkins
- William Henry Jackson
- Anne Brigman
- Johan Hagemeyer
- Edward Weston
- Brett Weston
- Ansel Adams
- Imogen Cunningham
- Wynn Bullock
- Charles Sheeler
- Aaron Siskind
- Irving Penn
- Sally Mann
- Garry Winogrand
Contemporary Art Highlights
The museum also has a collection of contemporary art. This includes works by:
- Nathan Oliveira
- David Park
- Roland Petersen
- Ilya Bolotowsky
- Larry Rivers
- James Rosenquist
- Wayne Thiebaud
American Art from the Past
This section features American art from the 1800s up to 1945. Some artists in this collection are:
- Thomas Eakins
- John Sloane
- Childe Hassam
- Oscar Bluemner
- Stanton Macdonald-Wright
- Rockwell Kent
- Grant Wood
- David Alfaro Siqueiros
- Rufino Tamayo