| Kalamazoo
Institute of Arts
"To stimulate the appreciation and the creation of art."
With that goal, the Kalamazoo Chapter of the American Federation
of Arts incorporated as the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts in 1924.
Its first home was a rented room in the then-new YWCA on South Rose
Street. By 1928, the YWCA needed its space back, so the KIA joined
forces with the Board of Education, which then governed the Kalamazoo
Public Library and Museum. For almost twenty years, the KIA shared
space with the library and museum, first in the old Peck Mansion
at 335 South Rose, and later next door in the Kauffer House. Working
primarily with volunteers, it early established a series of distinguished
exhibits, a wide range of classes for both children and adults,
and guest lectures by such well-known artists as Diego Rivera, Thomas
Hart Benton and Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1931, it hired Sylvester
Jerry, its first full-time director.
|
| KIA's first building of its own: 421
W. South Street |
In 1947, the KIA purchased and renovated a building of its own,
an old home at 421 West South (see photo on this page), but it was
quickly filled to capacity and planning began for a permanent building
at 314 S. Park Street, which was constructed with the generosity
of Genevieve and Donald S. Gilmore and the Upjohn Estate through
the Kalamazoo Foundation. The modern design by Skidmore, Owings
and Merrill included studio classrooms, a library, auditorium, exhibit
areas, art storage, a sculpture garden and office space. The building
opened in September 1961 with a staff of 15.
In 1997, the KIA began a $14.5 million dollar expansion and renovation
project designed by the Boston architectural firm of Ann Beha
Associates.
Re-opening in September 1998, the addition includes more permanent
collection galleries, a Community Cultural Center Auditorium, a
centrally located library, an interactive gallery, and both new
and completely renovated classrooms. The new two-story lobby and
atrium showcases a glass chandelier by Dale Chihuly and a mobile
by Alexander Calder.
KIA offers art classes, exhibits, tours, films, lectures, concerts,
and outreach programs. It has a fine permanent collection emphasizing
20th century American art and the German Expressionists.
About ten percent of the items in the collection were donated by
local philanthropists Donald and Genevieve Gilmore. The remainder
have been purchased or received as gifts from KIA members
and friends. Each year the KIA acquires additional works by nationally
known and established regional artists.
On the first Saturday in June each year, the KIA sponsors its well-known
Kalamazoo Art Fair in Bronson Park. Begun in 1951 as the
Clothesline Art Fair for local artists, it evolved into an international
juried show. Artists from all over the United States and Canada
exhibit and sell their works here. The Art Fair attracts thousands
of people each year for the one-day event.
|
For further information, we suggest
these sources:
|
| |
History Room Subject Files: Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, also
Art Scrapbooks. |
| H
708.174 A784 |
An Art Center Grows in the Midwest, 1924-1961.
KIA, 1966. |
| |
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts web site: www.kiarts.org
|
| |
Mah, Linda M. "Celebrating big ideas," Kalamazoo Gazette,
6 September 1998. |
| |
Rauch, Victor "Clothesline show to become Kalamazoo Art
Fair," Kalamazoo Gazette, 20 April 20 1969. |
| |
List of Directors of the
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts |
Written by Beth Scott and Catherine Larson,
Kalamazoo Public Library Staff, with thanks to Helen Sheridan of
the KIA Staff, for providing additional information, June 1999.
Updated 3 Jun 2005.
 return to the All
About Kalamazoo menu
|
