TMA Centennial Year

About the Centennial

On March 20th, 1924, the leaders of the Arts Committee of the Tucson Woman’s Club, assembled a group of artists, art enthusiasts, and patrons who eagerly agreed to establish an art organization to benefit Tucson – and the Tucson Fine Arts Association became a reality. They could not have imagined that their nascent arts establishment would eventually become the oldest and largest cultural institution serving Southern Arizona – the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA).

Through several changes of name and location, TMA has continued to grow its collection, expand its exhibition and education spaces, maintain five historically significant buildings, broaden community engagement activities, and garner national recognition.

TMA’s success is a testament to the city of Tucson’s support as well as the kindness of tens of thousands of individual donors, foundations, and grantors who have generously given their time, talent, and treasure over the decades. Stay tuned as we look forward to presenting a special events, programs, and Time Travelers: Foundations, Transformations, and Expansions at the Centennial exhibition at the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block.

Image credit: Tucson Museum of Art, building fund office, Hyram S. Stevens House, 1974. Photo by Bill Sears

Banner Image credit: Tucson Art Center, (Kingan House), 1955. Unidentified photographer. Image courtesy of Tucson Museum of Art.

Timeline

1920

A meeting was called by Mrs. George Kitt, Alice P. Teasdale, and Mrs. E. F. Harris, board members of the Art Section of the Woman’s Club, to discuss the creation of a permanent art organization in Tucson – and The Tucson Fine Arts Association (TFAA) was established. Gallery space was eventually secured at The Temple of Music and Art.

Image credit: Tucson Fine Arts Association Gallery, Temple of Music and Art, 1928. Arizona Historical Society. Tucson General Photo Collection, Places-Tucson-Theaters-Temple of Music and Art, #21365.
1930

The TFAA continued its rigorous exhibition and education program schedule into the 1930s with a focus on paintings and etchings by artists from California, New Mexico, and Arizona, and displays of local student works. In March of 1930, TFAA boasted that 500 “society folks” attended a highly successful fundraising tea at the Harold Bell Wright home, complete with original works of art as door prizes.

Image credit: Millard Owen Sheets Mexican Scene, 1928 Etching Gift of Robert Walmer 1996. 177
1940

When activities at the Temple of Music and Art were suspended, the Chamber of Commerce provided exhibition space in its building. Another arts group formed and was named the Tucson Independent Artists Group (TIAG). Tucson Fine Arts Association (TFAA) and Tucson Independent Artists Group (TIAG) merged to form one organization under the TFAA name. The Chamber of Commerce continued to offer its basement space for exhibitions.

Image credit: Tucson Fine Arts Gallery, Chamber of Commerce building, 1949 Photo by Jay Sternberg
1950

TFAA moved to the old Judge Samuel Kingan House at 325 W. Franklin Street.

Image credit: TFAA members in TAC Reception area, 1958 Photo courtesy of Tucson Daily Citizen
1960

The TFAA name was changed to the Tucson Art Center (TAC).

Image credit: Tucson Art Center (former Kingan House), 1960
1970

The city of Tucson adopted a resolution to lease the entire historic block, which was once within the Presidio Walls of the Old Pueblo, to TAC for ninety-nine years. In a show of support, an anonymous
contribution was made which inspired the community’s commitment to construct and endow a museum. The name TAC was changed to the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) and opened its doors to the public at its present address, 140 N. Main Avenue in 1975.

Image credit: Grand opening, Tucson Museum of Art/ installation view, Tucson Collects, 1975
1980

Arizona Biennial begins as a way to amplify the artistic diversity of the state.

Image credit: Lowell Adams, TMA Director, jurying Arizona Biennial ’84 with gallerist Ivan Karp, 1984
1990

TMALearn! Docents developed and implemented a program called Connecting Hospitalized Children to Art that brought art-making projects to critically ill children at UArizona Medical Center. The program was designed so young patients could therapeutically explore and express their feelings, discover ways of working in the visual arts, and engage in social interaction. Image credit:
2020

A 6,000-foot addition, TMA’s Kasser Family Wing of Latin American Art, held its grand opening with works from TMA’s permanent collection and loans from the Kasser and Baker collections of art of the Ancient Americas. The Alice Chaiten Baker Center for Art Education also opened its doors.

Image credit: Install photo of the Kasser Family Wing of Latin American Art. Photo courtesy of Tucson Museum of Art.
2024

Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block celebrates its first 100 years and and first collection object, La Revue Blanche. Members from the community are invited to attend the Centennial Gala, view the feature exhibition, Time Travelers: Foundations, Transformations, and Expansions at the Centennial, and be part of the Community Block Party.

Image credit: TMA First Thursday activities in the Mary Jo Brown Gallery. Photo by Julius Schlosburg

Support TMA’s Centennial

Thank you for your ongoing support of the arts and your commitment to the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block. In 2024, we can ensure that art continues to inspire, educate, and enrich the lives of individuals in our community for generations to come. We look forward to adding your name (s) to our list of centennial-year donors as we extend our mission to connect art to life for the benefit of future generations.

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Image credit: Tucson Museum of Art’s Kingan Gardens Event. Photo by Kathleen Dreier.

Tucson Museum of Art: A Centennial History 1924-2024

The accompanying history of the Tucson Museum of Art coinciding with the Museum’s centennial year.

The 100-year history of the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) is a story of resilient, impassioned art enthusiasts, artists, and community partners who shared a deep and abiding appreciation of art and art education, considering them to be indispensable components of vibrant and inviting places to live and work. Tucson Museum of Art: A Centennial History 1924-2024 is a comprehensive recounting of TMA’s first one hundred years, detailing key moments in Tucson’s history that ultimately led to the formation of the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block.

Published by Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
Printed by Arizona Lithographers, Tucson, AZ
Author: Julie Sasse, Ph.D.
2024
ISBN 978-0-911611-49-6
Softcover
224 pages,
8×11 inches
English

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TMA Centennial Year

About the Centennial

Timeline

1920

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2020

2024

Support TMA’s Centennial

Tucson Museum of Art: A Centennial History 1924-2024

Become a TMA Member and Explore, Experience, and Connect

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