Museum
of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts in St.
Petersburg, Florida was founded by Margaret Acheson Stuart (1896-1980) and
reflects her vision of providing outstanding examples of world art in an
inviting, elegant setting. The Museum opened to the public in 1965. The
purpose of the Museum is to increase and diffuse knowledge and
appreciation of art, to collect and preserve objects of artistic interest
and merit, to protect works of art, to provide facilities for research,
and to offer instruction and opportunities for aesthetic enjoyment of art.
The Museum is dedicated to serving all people by pursuing excellence in
art from antiquity to the present through collection, exhibitions, and
education for its diverse audiences.
The Building
According to architect John Volk, "a museum should give a feeling of
permanence and that is what I have tried to do with this building." But
this museum is not intimidating. From the guard opening the front door to
the carpeted galleries, this Museum welcomes you inside both its
exhibition galleries and intimate gardens and encourages you to stay.
The Collection
The Museum of Fine Arts has the only comprehensive art collection,
extending from antiquity to the present, on the Florida west coast. See
outstanding works of art in galleries designed for leisurely reflection.
Our collection includes European art, American art, Photography, Greek and
Roman antiquities, and pre-Columbian and Asian art.
