Center for Creative Community Development

Springfield Museum of Art

The Springfield Museum of Art collects, exhibits and preserves works of art for the benefit of all individuals, while encouraging the education and participation in, and the enjoyment and appreciation of the arts. The Springfield Art Association was organized in 1946 by a group of concerned artists and citizens who felt a need for a visual arts facility in the community. Beginning in 1946, exhibitions were held, first in the buildings of supportive area businesses, and later in leased gallery spaces, until 1967 when the Association was able to erect its own building. At that time, it was determined that a permanent collection of art objects would foster interest in the visual arts, as well as encourage excellence in the work of students enrolled in classes. The success of these early efforts was affirmed in 1974, when the size of the facility was doubled to accommodate growth in each programmatic area. In 1989, the name was changed to the Springfield Museum of Art, to more accurately describe the manner in which the institution had been actually functioning for many years.