Terra Museum facts for kids
| Established | 1980 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | October 31, 2004 |
| Location |
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The Terra Museum of American Art was a special place that showed off American art. A businessman named Daniel J. Terra started it in 1980 in Evanston, Illinois. Later, in 1987, the museum moved to Chicago, Illinois.
For 24 years, the museum held over 200 art shows. It also had fun activities for kids, teachers, and families. The museum building closed on October 31, 2004. Now, it's part of the Terra Foundation for American Art. This foundation lends out art and supports art programs, sometimes still using the Terra Museum name.
How the Museum Started
Daniel Terra loved collecting art. He began in the 1940s. By the 1970s, he focused on American art. He especially liked American Impressionism and the Hudson River School style.
In 1980, Daniel Terra opened the Terra Museum of American Art. It was in Evanston, Illinois. The museum first displayed about 700 pieces from his own collection. These included paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, and photos. They were made between the late 1700s and 1945.
Two years later, President Ronald Reagan recognized Daniel Terra's work. He made him an Ambassador-at-Large for Cultural Affairs. This was for promoting American art and culture.
Moving to Chicago and Growing
In 1987, the Terra Museum of American Art moved. It went from Evanston to a building on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. This new spot helped more people see the art.
In 1992, Daniel Terra opened another museum in France. It was called the Musée d’art américain Giverny. This museum first showed American artists who had visited France. Soon, it grew to include many American artists and topics. It focused on art connections between America and Europe.
Why the Museum Closed
In 2003, the leaders of the Terra Foundation for American Art made a big decision. They wanted the foundation to help more people around the world. So, they decided to close the Terra Museum in Chicago. The museum officially closed at the end of October 2004.
Before it closed, some people wanted to move the museum to Washington, D.C. However, a legal agreement in 2004 said the Foundation had to stay in Illinois for 50 years.
The artworks from the museum are still owned by the Terra Foundation for American Art. The Foundation continues to add new art to its collection. Many paintings are on long-term loan to the Art Institute of Chicago. The Art Institute also holds the Foundation's collection of works on paper. The Foundation also lends its art to shows and museums all over the world.
