Last updated: 3/25/2018
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Address
410 Third Ave SECedar Rapids, IA 52401
phone: 319-366-7503
e-mail: info@crma.org
web: www.crma.org

Hours

Sunday, Tuesday - Wednesday, Friday
12 PM - 4 PM
Thursday
12 PM - 8 PM
Saturday
10 AM - 4 PM
Monday
closed

Admissions

Adults: $7
Seniors (over 62): $6
CRMA Members: free
College Students (): $6
Children (6-18): $3
Children under 6: Free

Museum Type(s)

Art

Staff

Terence Pitts
phone:
e-mail:
Sean Ulmer
phone:
e-mail:
Lori Tofanelli
phone:
Description

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has a collection of more than 7,200 works of art spanning many eras—from Roman antiquity to the present. The collection is particularly strong in American art, especially from the first half of the 20th century. There are a number of artists the Museum holds in great depth—including the world's largest collection of works of art by Grant Wood. The Museum also possesses a strong collection of Roman portrait busts donated by Tom and Nan Riley, and an extensive print collection from the 15th century forward primarily donated by Peter O. Stamats.

The collection is too comprehensive to be displayed all at once. That means chances are good that you'll see different, breathtaking pieces each time you visit!

Mission

The mission of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is to excite, engage, and educate our community and visitors through our collection, exhibitions, and programs.

History

Inspired by the extraordinary art gathered together at the World’s Colombian Exposition in Chicago, community leaders from Cedar Rapids formed an art club in 1895. Ten years later, when they were offered a specially designed gallery in the new Carnegie Library, the club incorporated as the Cedar Rapids Art Association and began exhibiting art in a gallery in the newly built Carnegie Library. The first painting was acquired for the collection in 1906. Local artists were often important members, helping arrange exhibitions, lectures, and special events. Among the most active members in the early 1920s were artists Grant Wood and his close friend Marvin Cone. Receiving Federal support from 1930 to 1935, the Association also ran the highly regarded Little Gallery, directed by Ed Rowan, who later helped run the Public Works of Art Project.

In the early 1960s, the Art Association acquired and renovated a building for itself in a nearby downtown location—the Torch Press Building—providing 16,000 square feet of space on four floors. The Association renamed itself the Cedar Rapids Art Center and hired its first professional director since Rowan’s Depression-era tenure. In 1981, the Art Center earned accreditation by the American Association of Museums.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library moved to a new building in the mid 1980s, vacating the Carnegie building where the Art Association was first established. The City of Cedar Rapids offered the original Carnegie building and some adjacent land to the Art Center. A successful campaign raised $10 million for the renovation of the Carnegie building and the construction of a 42,000 square foot addition designed by Charles W. Moore (1925-1993) and Centerbrook Architects. The new Cedar Rapids Museum of Art was formally opened with John Carter Brown (then Director of the National Gallery of Art) cutting the ribbon in December 1989. The CRMA remains an AAM accredited museum to this day.

Artifact Collections

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art houses more than 5,600 works of art spanning many eras—from Roman antiquity to the present. The collection is particularly strong in American art, especially from the first half of the 20th century. There are a number of artists the Museum holds in great depth—including the world's largest collection of works of art by Grant Wood. The Museum also possesses a strong collection of Roman portrait busts donated by Tom and Nan Riley, and an extensive print collection from the 15th century forward primarily donated by Peter O. Stamats.

Please visit www.crma.org for more information about the CRMA's permanent collection.

Educational Programs

Not only does the CRMA offer an incredible array of artwork on display in the galleries throughout the year, but the Museum also presents a unique selection of programs for visitors and art lovers of all ages. From lectures and Family Fun Days to fundraising dinners in private homes and interactive workshops, programs and events planned by the Museum strive to fulfill our mission of exciting, engaging and education our community and visitors through our programming.

Facilities

The CRMA offers the perfect venue for you to host your own spectacular event! Our staff prides itself on the ability to offer any type of event experience you may need—from wedding receptions to corporate training sessions and everything in between.

Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
Publications

Effective May 09, we are no longer issuing a newsletter until further notice.

Services

The Museum Store is located on the first floor in the historic Carnegie wing of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Free parking is available in the Museum lot on the 2nd Avenue side of the building. Our wonderful Museum Store offers a variety of local art and items for any shopper.

Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

Lubbock, Texas

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

RECENT UPDATES

Museums

03/07 The Mariners' Museum and Park

Newport News, Virginia

Museum Vendors

02/18 Tessellate

New York City, New York

10/30 Museum Fabrication Group, LLC

Denton, Texas

03/07 ConservArt Inc.

Boca Raton, Florida