Make Your Next Visit to the Worcester Art Museum a Memorable One
The Worcester Art Museum, commonly referred to as WAM, is one of the most important art museums in the United States. Its permanent collection is renowned for its 38,000 works of art, representing cultures from around the world. Founded in 1898, the museum is among the oldest and most important in the country. Learn more about the WAM in our article below. You’ll find out how you can make your next art museum visit a memorable one!
Collection spans more than 5,000 years of art
The Worcester Art Museum is home to a world-renowned collection of more than 37,000 pieces, ranging from ancient antioch floor mosaics to cutting-edge contemporary art. The museum’s permanent collection is also complemented by special exhibitions that feature masterpieces and rarely-seen gems, as well as important works of art on loan from other institutions and museums. During the summer months, special exhibitions will feature contemporary artists, new media, and other works that will make your visit a unique and unforgettable experience.
Among the exhibits on display in the Love Stories gallery is the renowned “Love Stories” exhibit, which features over 60 works of art from various periods in British history. The show explores the history of color printmaking in the 19th and 20th centuries. Highlights of this exhibit include early art facsimiles printed in color, patented methods of color illustration, and original creative color prints.
Collaboration with Worcester State University
In 2012, the Worcester Art Museum and Worcester State University signed a cooperative agreement that enables students to take courses that make use of the museum’s collections and resources. Through this agreement, students at both institutions can benefit from the museum’s extensive library, specialist staff, and online collaborations. Among these projects is a WPI student project that documents the reactions of museum visitors to the museum’s innovative redisplay of Old Master paintings.
The collaboration between the two institutions has led to an array of educational initiatives, such as the Worcester Art Museum’s Art Spin, a bi-weekly bicycle tour that brings community members to artist studios and performs art at the museum. In addition, the Worcester Art Museum and Worcester State University’s Visual and Performing Arts department will renovate the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery, which will open to the public on October 14, 2021.
Partnership with Salisbury University
The Partnership with Salisbury University at Worcester Art & History Museum seeks proposals from artists, curators, and art organizations who have not previously exhibited in the city. For the inaugural show, the museum will feature a selection of contemporary works from an international artists’ community. The selection will include both regional and national artists, ages 18 and older. The project will run through November 2017.
The art museum and WPS have partnered to create a comprehensive course on art history. The APAH exam is designed to help students earn college credit or advanced placement. Over 70% of students earn a score of three or higher on the exam. The students then display their final projects in the Museum’s galleries during the month of June. In addition to the collaborative program, the students of both institutions are learning about different art forms and techniques.
Permanent collection
The Worcester Art Museum, founded by Stephen Salisbury III, has been a cultural institution in the city since its opening in 1898. It has a permanent collection of more than 35,000 pieces that span over 50 centuries of artistic endeavor. While it is most notable for its collection of ancient Greek artifacts, the museum has a strong commitment to preserving art for future generations. To that end, the Worcester Art Museum plans to develop a new gallery dedicated to Arms and Armor. The new gallery will focus on accessibility and will accommodate different learning styles and enable diverse visitors to curate their own experience.
During the late 1990s, the Worcester Art Museum faced a financial crisis. The museum’s management considered closing the WAM Library, laying off staff, and selling off library materials. The WAM Head Librarian, a member of the local library consortium WACL (Worcester Area Cooperating Libraries), was saddened to learn of the impending closure. WACL members had been serving the community for nearly 100 years, and they were sad to see it close.
Temporary exhibits
The Worcester Art Museum houses over 38,000 works of art. Among these works are works from antiquity to contemporary, spanning the world’s cultures. Whether you’re a casual museum goer or a student of art, there’s something for everyone at the museum. Currently, the museum’s permanent collection spans two centuries. There are also numerous temporary exhibits, including a series of interactive pieces and a traveling exhibit.
The Love Stories gallery contains numerous pieces from the collection of the artist. Docents offer information about each piece. One of these works, Ellen Terry’s ‘Choosing’ (1864), is especially interesting because of its Victorian flower symbolism and connection to the historical Valentine’s Day cards from the Worcester area. A wall of paper hearts is another highlight in this exhibit. And, if you have a sweetheart, you’ll definitely find something to love in this gallery.
Collection of nearly 38,000 objects
The Collection of nearly 38,000 items at the Worcester Art Museum is large and varied. The museum’s extensive collection spans the Americas, Europe, and the world. Among the treasures on display are works by Pablo Picasso and Gustav Klimt. The museum is open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free on the first Sunday of the month.
In addition to paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, the Worcester Art Museum also has a diverse collection of photography, prints, drawings, and other visual art. The museum is attempting to make its photographic archives more accessible by enlisting new technologies to digitize the collection. The resulting images can be viewed online or in person. The Worcester Art Museum is a great place to explore the history of art.