KMAC Museum is an American art museum that "connects people to Art and Creative Practice". The museum is a 501c3 organization located in the
West Main District of
downtown
''Downtown'' is a term primarily used in North America by English speakers to refer to a city's sometimes commercial, cultural and often the historical, political and geographic heart. It is often synonymous with its central business distric ...
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border ...
History
The museum was founded in 1981 as the Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation to build interest in the state’s craft heritage which quickly led to a one of a kind collection of American Folk Art from the region. In 2001, the organization relocated to its current home, a four-story historic cast iron structure. At that time, the organization changed its name to the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, still focusing on contemporary Kentucky artisans. The new building provided more gallery space for exhibitions and educational programs.
In 2016, after closing nearly for a year, the organization completed a $3 million renovation and restoration of the Main Street building by Christoff: Finio Architects, NY., formally changed the name to KMAC Museum and achieved sponsorship of free daily admission. The museum now offers free programming for 100,000 students, community members and tourists, alike. KMAC Museum is currently enrolled in the American Alliance of Museums accreditation program.
The museum is in close proximity to the
Kentucky Science Center
The Kentucky Science Center, previously known as the Louisville Museum of Natural History & Science and then Louisville Science Center, is Kentucky's largest science museum. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, on "Museum Row" in the West Main Distr ...
, the
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, is a museum and factory tour attraction located in Louisville, Kentucky's "Museum Row", part of the West Main District, Louisville, West Main District of downtown Louisville, downtown. The museum showcases ...
, the
Frazier History Museum The Frazier History Museum, previously known as the Frazier Historical Arms Museum and the Frazier International History Museum, is a history museum located on Museum Row in the West Main District of downtown Louisville, Kentucky. An affiliate of t ...
and the
Muhammad Ali Center
The Muhammad Ali Center is a non-profit museum and cultural center dedicated to boxer Muhammad Ali in Louisville, Kentucky. Ali, a native of Louisville, and his wife Lonnie Ali founded the museum in 2005.
The six-story, museum is located in ...
, which gives the nickname of the area as "Museum Row".
See also
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References
External links
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Arts venues in Louisville, Kentucky
Art museums and galleries in Kentucky
Museums in Louisville, Kentucky
Art museums established in 1981
1981 establishments in Kentucky