Minnesota Museum of American Art (The M)

Located in the Upper Midwest of Dakota territory, and at the heart of a diverse urban community, the Minnesota Museum of American Art (the M) explores American identities and experiences through the transformative power of art and creativity. Founded in 1894 as the St. Paul School of Fine Arts and formally incorporated in 1927, the M is one of the oldest visual arts organizations in Minnesota. Originally established to provide arts education, the school began collecting works for instructional purposes, gradually expanding in the 1940s to build a broader collection of paintings, works on paper, sculpture, and craft. Over the decades, the M has evolved its name and mission to reflect a growing commitment to American art and the evolving complexity of the American experience. The M’s permanent collection includes more than 5,000 works of American art from the 19th century to today. In the last few years, the M deepened its collecting priorities to better reflect underrepresented narratives, including a greater focus on Regional American Indian arts, women artists, artists of color, and mid-century craft.  

 The M has entered a new phase of growth. For the past four years, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Kate Beane (Flandreau Santee Sioux), we have been building momentum and clarifying our purpose in interconnecting the arts and artist ecosystem in Minnesota and as an anchor organization in downtown St. Paul, supporting and reflecting the economic, social, and cultural vibrancy of the community. Following a successful $14 million capital campaign, the M recently completed a major expansion that tripled its gallery and gathering spaces and significantly broadened access to its exhibitions and programs.  

 Through all its work, the M inspires understanding of identities, experiences, and complex truths. As a vital cultural hub in downtown St. Paul, the M welcomes everyone—always free of charge—to experience the power of art, artists, and community collaboration. 

Visit https://mmaa.org/ to learn more.

"What's exciting about the M is that it is a regional museum that has an international impact. This is demonstrated by the M's interactions and engagement with communities. This is also demonstrated in the M's incredible collection."

—Dr. Patricia Marroquin Norby (Purépacha), Associate Curator of Native American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art 

"I’m excited about the way the M is helping us shape, craft, and build our stories together as a community. Because our story is the most powerful thing that we have. Our story is what helps us survive this moment, no matter what this moment brings."

 —Mayor Melvin Carter

“In times of uncertainty, art gives us something to hold onto. It helps us mourn, it helps us dream, it helps us imagine the world not just as it is but as it could be. Institutions like the M make that possible—by supporting living artists and by opening doors wide so that the next generation can see themselves reflected.” 

—Leslie Barlow, artist and educator