Mission, Values and History
Vision
A Community Enriched Through Art.
Mission
To inspire a love for art through education, diversity, history and culture.
Values
Creativity – We embrace all forms of expression and encourage unique approaches that expand the perception of art.
Stewardship – We commit to responsibly celebrating and preserving art entrusted to us and to fulfilling donor intent for gifts.
Inclusion – We believe art should represent ideas and people of all races, religions, gender identities, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and ability.
Collaboration – We actively prioritize working with others to unite and strengthen our community.
Our History
Founded in 1898 as the Art Association of Richmond, RAM continues as the second oldest art association in Indiana.
Visitors to the Richmond Art Museum (RAM) should prepare to have their eyes opened and their minds engaged by traveling exhibitions, a remarkable permanent collection of 19th and 20th Century art, and a variety of stimulating child-centered activities. RAM’s purpose for over one hundred years has been to promote art culture and encourage art appreciation, and it carries out this mission by offering an array of exhibits and programs that appeal to all ages.
The only independent art museum to be housed within a public school, RAM takes its mission seriously. Elementary-age children are treated to intercultural learning experiences with the Art is… series, and the screening of independent short films created by high school filmmakers in the Phantoscope High School Film Festival appeals to young adults and adults alike. In addition, an annual high school art competition is hosted at RAM. Other programs with wide audience appeal include, and the annual museum-hosted Secret Garden Tour highlighting art that exists in local outdoor spaces. For over a century, the museum has also hosted the Annual Exhibition by Richmond and Area Artists, which is juried and features up and coming artists from Indiana and Ohio.
RAM is open to the public year-round without charge and is fully accessible to individuals with physical disabilities. The museum is conveniently located just off of U.S. 40 (Old National Road) and overlooks the scenic Whitewater Gorge. Nearby access to the Cardinal Greenway Trail gives visitors a chance to explore the Gorge and the Starr-Gennett historical site (birth place of recorded jazz) more closely. Olde Richmond, Uptown Richmond and the Earlham College campus are within walking distance.
McGuire Hall
Dedicated on December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor Day), the McGuire Memorial Fine Arts Building is the home of the Richmond Art Museum
Four galleries, an auditorium and classrooms for art and music were built as part of the Richmond Community Schools campus. The building cost of $100,000 was paid in part by a generous Richmond industrial family. Charles McGuire, owner of Dille & McGuire lawnmower manufacturer, another prosperous industry in Richmond, gifted $50,000 to the school to permanently house the Art Association of Richmond. The building was dedicated as a tribute in memory of his mother, Esther Elderkin McGuire. John Leonard Hamilton Jr. (1904-2002) from Chicago Illinois served as the architect.
The building housed the Richmond High School orchestra, the first high school orchestra in the United States, as well as the Richmond High School band. Will Earhart organized the first orchestra in 1900. The first orchestra was comprised of mandolin, violin and guitar along with a section of the boy’s glee club.
In 1993, Civic Hall Performing Arts Center was opened in the old high school gymnasium, providing new space for both the Richmond High School Band and Orchestra. Civic Hall Performing Arts Center also houses the Richmond Symphony Orchestra.
In 1996, the Art Association of Richmond changed its name to the Richmond Art Museum. The partnership between the Richmond Community Schools and the Richmond Art Museum remains intact, adhering to the original agreement set in 1915.
Over Organized Exhibitions
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Unique Objects Around the World
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Multi media Exhibitions with a Guide
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Tickets Sold by our Organization
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Hours
Tuesday – Saturday
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
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