In 2014, the Walker Art Center began an anniversary celebration to commemorate 75 years as a public museum. The event, scheduled to last for 2 years, will end this December. The featured exhibit showcases art that represents the museum’s purpose, and takes an important look at the Center’s history as a gathering place for those who are passionate about spreading their love of art across generations.

Opening to The Public  

The Walker Art center is one of the 5 most visited modern art museums in the US. It credits its success to its hundreds of exhibitions, which attract an average of 700,000 visitors each year. It is well known for its galleries, as well as its sculpture garden, which houses Claes Oldenburg’s famed sculpture, Spoonbridge and Cherry. The museum has continued to attract visitors ever since its opening to the public. Yet, the Walker’s history began much earlier. The center was first proposed over 125 years ago, but it was in the mid-20th century that the Walker became a museum accessible to all, causing a spike in attendance and popularity. “The years 1939–1940 marked the birth of the Walker Art Center as we know it today,” states the museum’s website, which also describes the organization’s mission as “to both champion the production of new art and preserve historically important cultural artifacts.” The Walker has fulfilled its promise to both honor historical art and to shed light on new techniques. In addition, the museum has been working to bring its mission to the younger generation, with much success. Out of the Walker’s total visitors in 2011, an average of 22% percent were teens and youth. With the implementation of its 75 year anniversary exhibit, the Walker hopes to draw the attention of even more younger visitors, by looking back at what has made it so successful as a public space.     

Celebrating a Successful 75 Years

The Art Center’s website describes the anniversary celebration as a tribute to its past: “The exhibition looks at 75 years of collecting at the Walker—a history distinguished not only by bold and often risk-taking choices but also acquisitions that have consistently breached the boundaries of media or disciplines.” The museum has contributed to Minnesota’s tourist economy significantly, due in large part to its constantly changing exhibitions and galleries. Visitors can expect to see something new every time they go, proof of the Walker’s commitment to keep up with modern art. It has had a very successful 75 years as a public space, and in the direction that it’s headed, a great future is to be expected.  

Visiting the Exhibition
The anniversary exhibition, titled “Art at the Center: 75 Years of Walker Collections”, is on display through December 31st. Found in galleries 4, 5, and 6, the collection focuses mainly on visual arts that represents what the Walker has done over the course of its life as a public museum. More information about the exhibition can be found on the Walker’s website, walkerart.org.