North Dakota Museum of Art facts for kids
Exterior of the museum
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| Former name | University of North Dakota Art Galleries |
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| Location | Grand Forks, North Dakota |
The North Dakota Museum of Art (NDMOA) is the official art museum for the state of North Dakota in the United States. It is located on the campus of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. This museum is a private, non-profit place. It has three galleries for showing art, a video room, a cafe, and a gift shop. You can visit for free!
Contents
History of the Museum
The museum first started in the 1970s. Back then, it was called the University of North Dakota Art Galleries.
In 1981, the North Dakota Legislative Assembly (which is like the state's government group) officially named it the state's art museum. That's when it got its current name. An old building from 1907, the West Gymnasium on the university campus, was changed into the new museum. In 1989, this large building became the museum's home.
Artists helped design parts of the museum. For example, the gift shop and a special "donor wall" were created by New York artist Barton Lidice Beneš. He made the donor wall look like his own unique "shadow box" art. Outside, there is a sculpture garden designed by Richard Nonas. The museum also had a big update recently. This included adding skylights, new floors, and windows.
What's in the Permanent Collection?
The museum has a "permanent collection" of art. This means these artworks always belong to the museum. They are not just visiting for a short time. Some of the artists whose work is in this collection include María Magdalena Campos Pons, Aganetha Dyck, Rena Effendi, Walter Piehl, and Kiki Smith.
Cool Art Exhibits
The museum often changes the art it shows. These "exhibits" feature contemporary artists from the local area, across the country, and even from other parts of the world.
Some past exhibits have included:
- Bugs and Such
- Lewis and Clark: Rivers, Edens, Empires
- The Plains of Sweet Regret
- Under the Whelming Tide: The 1997 Flood of the Red River of the North
Since 2013, the museum has shown a special exhibit called Barton's Place. It's a reconstruction of artist Barton Beneš's apartment from New York City. It's like stepping into his creative world!
Music at the Museum
The museum also hosts musical concerts. These include:
- Sunday Concerts in the Gallery Series (from October to April)
- Concerts in the Garden (in July and August)
- NDMOA Downtown at the Empire Arts Center
Programs for Everyone
The museum offers many programs for people of all ages. These include Summer Kid's Art Camps, Family Days At The Museum, and classes for adults. They also have a rural arts program and touring exhibits that travel to other places.
See also
- List of art museums
- List of museums in North Dakota
