Sun Valley Museum of Art facts for kids

The Sun Valley Museum of Art (SVMoA) is a special place in central Idaho. It's the oldest arts organization in the Wood River Valley, starting way back in 1971. What began with just a few people offering classes has grown a lot! Now, over 20,000 people visit the museum's events every year.

The main part of the museum, with its art gallery and offices, is in Ketchum, Idaho. But SVMoA also has a second spot in Hailey, Idaho. This helps them reach more people in the southern part of Blaine County. The Hailey location is really cool because it includes a historic 100-year-old house. This house was the birthplace of a famous poet named Ezra Pound! There's also a new classroom building there.

In 2006, the Sun Valley Museum of Art earned a special award called accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums. This means they follow the best ways to run a museum and offer great programs. Only a small number of museums in America have this honor! The museum is also a nonprofit organization, which means it uses its money to help the community, not to make a profit.

What Can You See at the Museum?

The Sun Valley Museum of Art is a unique kind of museum. It's a "non-collecting museum," which means it doesn't have its own permanent collection of art. Instead, it hosts three or four new art shows each year. These shows feature modern art and explore interesting ideas from many different viewpoints.

The museum's team works together to create exciting programs. This includes not just art shows, but also talks, classes, and even music performances. Recent art shows have looked at topics like how art can help us heal, mysterious experiences, and how art connects with our senses. They've also explored the impact of dams in the American West.

Many famous artists have shown their work here. Some of them include Cecily Brown, Tina Barney, Emmet Gowin, and Sebastião Salgado. The museum creates almost all of its own exhibitions. Sometimes, they even send their shows to other museums!

Learning and Listening at SVMoA

The museum often invites interesting speakers and talented musicians to the Wood River Valley. These events are a great chance to learn new things and enjoy amazing performances.

Many well-known people have visited the Sun Valley Museum of Art. These include author David Sedaris, Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Díaz, and activist Gloria Steinem. Other notable guests have been Henry Louis Gates and Mary Oliver.

Past musical groups have included the Shanghai Quartet and the Vienna Choir Boys. The museum often brings these performers into local schools. Students get to enjoy special shows, presentations, and workshops.

In the summer, the museum holds outdoor concerts. These often feature popular bands playing rock, country, and blues. Some past performers include Lyle Lovett, Bonnie Raitt, and Rosanne Cash.

How the Museum Helps Students

The museum works closely with local groups and the Blaine County School District. Museum staff create special lesson plans that combine art with other school subjects. They also visit classrooms and lead tours for students at the museum's art shows.

After school, the museum offers art classes for elementary and middle school students. These classes are taught in both English and Spanish. The museum also provides scholarships to local students and teachers. Most of the money for these scholarships comes from a big fundraising event called the Sun Valley Wine Auction.

The Sun Valley Wine Auction

The Sun Valley Wine Auction is the museum's biggest fundraiser. It started in 1981, making it the oldest charity wine auction in the country! Wine Spectator magazine has even ranked it among the top 10 charity wine auctions in the nation.

This event lasts several days in late June. It includes a fancy live auction gala and special dinners at private homes. There are also public events, like talks at local wine bars. Famous wineries and chefs often take part in this exciting event.

Sun Valley Arts & Crafts Festival

For many years, the museum organized the annual Sun Valley Arts & Crafts Festival. Since 2018, another group has presented it. This festival brings thousands of visitors to the area. It features over a hundred booths with beautiful arts and crafts. You can also enjoy live music, watch artists create their work, and find fun activities for kids.