Museum of Wisconsin Art facts for kids
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| Former name | West Bend Art Museum |
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| Established | 1961 |
| Location | 205 Veterans Avenue West Bend, Wisconsin 53090, United States |
| Type | Art museum |
The Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) is a special place that collects and shares American art. It focuses on art from the state of Wisconsin. MOWA is a lively center for learning and new ideas. It works with artists and other groups to create exciting art shows. You can also attend talks by artists and experts. MOWA offers fun classes and activities for everyone. The main museum is in West Bend, Wisconsin. There are also smaller MOWA locations in Milwaukee and Madison.
History of MOWA
How MOWA Started
The Museum of Wisconsin Art began in 1961. It was started by the Pick family from West Bend, Wisconsin. At first, the museum collected art by Carl von Marr. He was an artist born in Milwaukee (1858-1936). Today, MOWA has the largest collection of his artwork anywhere.
Growing Over Time
In 1988, the museum decided to collect more art. It became a museum for the whole region. It started showing art by Wisconsin artists from 1820 to 1950. In 1998, it showed its "Early Wisconsin Art Collection." This collection celebrated Wisconsin's 150th birthday. The museum's goal became to collect, care for, and show Wisconsin art from all time periods.
In January 2007, the museum changed its name to the Museum of Wisconsin Art. It also started collecting art made by Wisconsin artists today. It also began collecting art made before 1820.
A New Home
In April 2012, MOWA opened a brand new building. This building is located in West Bend. It sits right next to the Milwaukee River.
