ARTICLE
Originally known as The Youth Museum of Imperial Polk County, in 1966 The Junior Welfare League of Lakeland founded the Polk Museum of Art as an all-volunteer not-for-profit institution. According to the Museum’s website, in 1969 the name was changed to what we know today as the Polk Museum of Art. “It began as a museum with children’s art, live animals and a whole mix of different types of objects and culture,” said Alex Rich, executive director, and chief curator for the Polk Museum of Art. Rich said the institution became a fine art museum in the 1980s and a Smithsonian affiliate in 2010. The art museum later became an affiliate of Florida Southern College in June 2017, at which time it transitioned from being a community museum to both a community and academic museum. Rich is the Chair of the Department of Art History Studies at Florida Southern and took on another role in his current position at the museum in 2017 after the two institutions became affiliated. Since it was founded, The Polk Museum has expanded and undergone many changes to the space as well as the size of its fine art collection. The current gallery space built in 1988 was intended to house roughly 500 art objects. Today, the museum has over 3,000 pieces. Since their need for more space has grown, they are now in the process of expanding the gallery space. The expansion project will add 14,000 square feet of space, doubling the museum’s current gallery space. The new space is set to open in the Fall of 2024. “This is a building that is now 36 years old and we have outgrown what it does for us in terms of our needs…we aspire to be a world-class academic and community museum. In order to do so, we need more gallery space, more opportunities to showcase our collection,” said Rich. Rich said he sees the museum hosting more classes, activities, special rentals and programs for the community and visitors to enjoy after the expansion. Rich said it is important for families, individuals and communities to visit and become involved with their local museums. “Our exhibitions are our most front-facing exhibition programming for adults and kids alike. We also run lots of classes, art camps and art labs. We really like the idea of drawing in families of all different ages,” said Rich. Rich explained that any Polk County student has a high chance of having their artwork displayed at the museum. Kids can also expect to tour the museum at some point during their time in the Polk County School system. Being a not-for-profit institution, the Polk Museum of Art is admission-free to prevent any barriers to individuals enjoying the artwork and exhibits on display. Rich said people can become members to enjoy the perks of a membership and help them stay an admission-free organization. For more information about the Polk Museum of Art, visit their profile.
Originally known as The Youth Museum of Imperial Polk County, in 1966 The Junior Welfare League of Lakeland founded the Polk Museum of Art as an all-volunteer not-for-profit institution. According to the Museum’s website, in 1969 the name was changed to what we know today as the Polk Museum of Art.
“It began as a museum with children’s art, live animals and a whole mix of different types of objects and culture,” said Alex Rich, executive director, and chief curator for the Polk Museum of Art.
Rich said the institution became a fine art museum in the 1980s and a Smithsonian affiliate in 2010. The art museum later became an affiliate of Florida Southern College in June 2017, at which time it transitioned from being a community museum to both a community and academic museum.
Rich is the Chair of the Department of Art History Studies at Florida Southern and took on another role in his current position at the museum in 2017 after the two institutions became affiliated.
Since it was founded, The Polk Museum has expanded and undergone many changes to the space as well as the size of its fine art collection. The current gallery space built in 1988 was intended to house roughly 500 art objects. Today, the museum has over 3,000 pieces. Since their need for more space has grown, they are now in the process of expanding the gallery space.
The expansion project will add 14,000 square feet of space, doubling the museum’s current gallery space. The new space is set to open in the Fall of 2024.
“This is a building that is now 36 years old and we have outgrown what it does for us in terms of our needs…we aspire to be a world-class academic and community museum. In order to do so, we need more gallery space, more opportunities to showcase our collection,” said Rich.
Rich said he sees the museum hosting more classes, activities, special rentals and programs for the community and visitors to enjoy after the expansion.
Rich said it is important for families, individuals and communities to visit and become involved with their local museums.
“Our exhibitions are our most front-facing exhibition programming for adults and kids alike. We also run lots of classes, art camps and art labs. We really like the idea of drawing in families of all different ages,” said Rich.
Rich explained that any Polk County student has a high chance of having their artwork displayed at the museum. Kids can also expect to tour the museum at some point during their time in the Polk County School system.
Being a not-for-profit institution, the Polk Museum of Art is admission-free to prevent any barriers to individuals enjoying the artwork and exhibits on display.
Rich said people can become members to enjoy the perks of a membership and help them stay an admission-free organization.
For more information about the Polk Museum of Art, visit their profile.