The Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute of Art, located in Utica, New York, is a regional fine arts center founded in 1919. The institute has three program divisions: museum of art, performing arts, and school of art. In this article, we will focus on the museum of art division.
Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute of Art (United States)
The Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute of Art, located in Utica, New York, is a regional fine arts center founded in 1919. The institute has three program divisions: museum of art, performing arts, and school of art. In this article, we will focus on the museum of art division.
Museum of Art
The museum of art has a substantial permanent collection of internationally recognized works, exhibited in the Munson Museum of Art Building. The building is an International-style building designed by architect Philip Johnson and completed in 1960. It is a 60,000 sqft square and supported by eight external ferro-concrete piers, or two on each side. The exterior structural members are clad in bronze and "black" Canadian granite. The windowless cube is set above windowed office areas recessed in a dry moat, giving a "floating" effect. The interior features a two-story central courtyard, illuminated by a skylight, known as the Edward Wales Root Sculpture Court. It also holds an auditorium seating 271.
The museum has an extensive collection of European and American art. A highlight of the permanent collection is the first of the two original sets of Thomas Cole's famous series of paintings titled The Voyage of Life: The second set is at the National Gallery Washington, DC. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
School of Art
The art school was begun in 1936, when The Arts Guild of New York City moved its school to a remodeled garage on the ground of the Institute and, under the name of the School of Related Arts and Sciences, began to offer courses in visual arts, the history and philosophy of art, and comparative symbolism. In 1999, Munson became a satellite campus of the Pratt Institute. A program called Pratt at Munson-Williams-Proctor or PrattMWP allows students to study for two years in Utica, New York, called a "Foundations Program", before completing their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Pratt Institute's main campus in Brooklyn, New York.
Conclusion
The Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute of Art is an important cultural institution in the United States. The museum's extensive collection of European and American art, as well as its temporary exhibitions, make it a must-visit destination for art lovers. Additionally, the school of art provides excellent opportunities for students to study visual arts and prepare for a career in the field.
Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munson-Williams-Proctor_Arts_Institute]
List of art museums [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_art_museums]
Amon Carter Museum of American Art [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amon_Carter_Museum_of_American_Art]