Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) is a museum located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The museum was founded in 1894 and has since grown into a major cultural institution. UMFA is home to over 100,000 objects from around the globe. The museum offers visitors a variety of art experiences, ranging from temporary exhibitions to educational programs.
The Utah Museum of Fine Arts is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the arts. It holds regular events such as lectures, concerts, and workshops. In addition, the museum also hosts special exhibits and tours.
The Utah Museum of Fine Art is a great place to visit if you love art. There are several ways to enjoy the museum, including visiting the galleries, taking classes, or attending special events.
History
In 1894, the Utah State Legislature passed an act creating the Utah Museum of Natural History. This was later changed to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. The museum opened its doors in 1896 with just one exhibit: A collection of Native American artifacts.
Over time, the museum grew to include more than 3,500 pieces of artwork. Today, it houses more than 100,000 items. These range from ancient Egyptian sculptures to modern paintings by famous artists like Picasso and Monet.
Today, the museum continues to grow and evolve. New additions include a new gallery for contemporary art, an education center, and a restaurant.
Galleries and Collections
There are four main areas within the museum: the permanent collections, the traveling exhibition program, the education department, and the restaurant.
Permanent Collection
The permanent collection includes works from many different cultures and eras. Some highlights include:
• Ancient Egypt — The largest collection of Egyptian art outside of Cairo.
• African Art — More than 1,000 pieces of art from Africa.
• Asian Art — Over 2,000 pieces of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian art.
• European Art — Works from Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, England, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Russia, Poland, Hungary, and other countries.
• Modern & Contemporary Art — More than 6,000 pieces of art created since 1900.
• Prehistoric Art — More than 300 pieces of art dating back to the Paleolithic period.
• Western Art — More than 5,000 pieces of art dating from the Renaissance through the 20th century.
Traveling Exhibitions
Each year, the museum presents about 40 traveling exhibitions. These vary widely in the subject matter. For example, they have included shows dedicated to the history of fashion, the evolution of photography, and the work of Andy Warhol.
Education Department
The Education Department offers a wide array of courses and programs. They offer everything from introductory classes to advanced studies. Some of their offerings include:
• Art Appreciation — An introduction to art. Students learn about various types of art, including painting, sculpture, architecture, design, film, music, dance, and theater.
• Art History — An overview of the development of art throughout history. Topics covered include Greek and Roman art, medieval art, renaissance art, baroque art, French Impressionism, post-impressionist art, cubism, surrealism, abstract expressionism, pop art, minimalism, conceptual art, and contemporary art.
• Art Techniques — Learn how to create your own art or improve your existing skills. This course covers drawing, painting, printmaking, clay modeling, jewelry making, glassblowing, weaving, woodworking, ceramics, metalwork, textiles, and fiber arts.
• Drawing — Learn how to draw with a pencil, charcoal, pastel, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylics, oil paints, and more.
• Painting — Learn how to paint landscapes, still lifes, portraits, animals, figures, and more.
• Photography — Explore the basics of taking pictures using a digital camera, 35mm SLR, or point-and-shoot cameras.
• Sculpture — Discover the techniques used by artists to make sculptures out of stone, bronze, plaster, wood, paper, fabric, clay, and more.
Special Events
Throughout the year, the Utah Museum of Fine Art hosts many special events. Some of these include lectures, concerts, and other performances.
For instance, the museum regularly presents lectures about different topics related to the arts. Lectures cover subjects such as photography, sculpture, and painting.
The museum also hosts musical performances throughout the year. The music ranges from classical to jazz, rock, and folk.
The museum also hosts special holiday-themed events. One of these events includes a display called “Christmas Around the World.” Visitors can view this exhibition during December.
Other events include a lecture series titled “Utah Artists” and a concert series called “Live Music @ the Museum.”
Location
Located in downtown Salt Lake City, the Utah Museum of Fine Art sits on nearly two acres of land. The museum itself is housed in a building designed by architect Charles F. Peterson. The building features three floors of galleries, classrooms, offices, and a café.
Visitors can access the museum via either the main entrance, which faces Temple Square or through the east side of the building. If you are looking for an interesting way to spend some time in Salt Lake City, consider visiting the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, or you can also try out Salt Lake City’s Shopping Centres, for something different.