Pensacola Museum of Art facts for kids
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| Established | 1954 |
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| Location | 407 South Jefferson Street Pensacola, Florida |
| Type | Art museum |
| Accreditation | American Alliance of Museums |
The Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) is a cool art museum you can visit in downtown Pensacola, Florida. It's a special place where you can see amazing artworks. The museum is officially recognized by the American Alliance of Museums, which means it meets high standards. A group of women from the American Association of University Women started it in 1954. Since 2016, it has been part of the University of West Florida Art Museum system.
Contents
A Look Back: The Museum's Story
From Jail to Art Space
In 1906, the city of Pensacola built a two-story building. This building was used as the city's first permanent jail. By 1954, the city needed a new, bigger jail. So, the old building became empty.
At the same time, a group called the Pensacola Art Association (PAA) was formed. These were members of the American Association of University Women. They were looking for a place to create an arts center.
The old jail building was perfect for an art center. It was strong and fireproof. It was also in a central spot in Pensacola's historic downtown. The city let the PAA rent the building for just $1 a year! The PAA then turned the old jail cells into cool spaces to show art.
Becoming a Museum
The Pensacola Art Association grew over the years. In 1982, it officially became the Pensacola Museum of Art. Six years later, in 1988, the museum bought the building it had been renting.
In July 2016, the Pensacola Museum of Art joined the University of West Florida. This made it part of the university's art museum system. The museum has been recognized by the American Alliance of Museums since 2001. This shows it is a high-quality museum.
What You Can See: The Art Collection
The museum started collecting art soon after it opened in 1954. Its main collection focuses on art from the 20th century and today. This includes modern art and contemporary art. You can find different types of art here, like painting, sculpture, and drawings.
The museum also has some decorative arts. These include beautiful European and American glass pieces. You can also see African tribal art in the collection.
Famous Artists in the Collection
The Pensacola Museum of Art has works by many famous artists. Some of these artists include:
- Alexander Calder
- Andy Warhol
- Pablo Picasso
- Salvador Dalí
- Thomas Hart Benton
- Louis Comfort Tiffany
- Käthe Kollwitz
Other artists whose works are displayed include John Marin, Miriam Schapiro, Fairfield Porter, Hunt Slonem, Alex Katz, Lynda Benglis, and Milton Avery. It's a great place to see art from many different styles and times!
