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The University of Arizona Museum of Art and Archive of Visual Arts

History of the Museum

An Unfolding Legacy:

Significant Dates in the History of the University of Arizona Museum of Art

1924First art exhibition at the University of Arizona, is organized by UA professor Katherine Kitt, founder of the UA Art Department.
1933Art Gallery is established in the campus library.
1942C. Leonard Pfeiffer (1896-1958) promises to give his art collection to UA. A 1940 UA graduate, he sold his stamp collection in order to start collecting contemporary American art.
195125 Renaissance master art works are lent to UA by Kress Foundation. More than 2000 people attend the exhibition opening.
1954Edward Joseph Gallagher, Jr. establishes a memorial collection as a tribute to his son.

1955Ground is broken for the new museum building.
196015th century Altarpiece from Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain is given by Kress Foundation.
1974UAMA Ansel Adams’ exhibit plants seeds to establish Center for Creative Photography.
1979Start of docent program for volunteer guides.
1979Jacques Lipchitz sketches and models are given by Jacques and Yulla Lipchitz Foundation.
1981American Alliance of Museums awards accreditation — one of only 12 museums in Arizona to be recognized for highest award of excellence.
1992Partners Circle, a community-based friends organization, is established.
2007Archive for Visual Arts is founded with gifts of artwork by illustrator Robert McCall.

I wish that all men with the love of art in their souls would take these words to heart: Help build collections in every corner of our land. – C. Leonard Pfeiffer, the first major donor to the UAMA