Last updated: 2/28/2012
1 Pickard Hall, Univ of Mo
Columbia, MO 65211
Museum offices are open 8-5 weekdays
Tuesday - Wednesday, Friday
9 AM - 4 PM
Sunday, Saturday
12 PM - 4 PM
MUMAA is closed on University holidays
Donations are accepted, and we encourage you to join the Museum Associates
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Alex Barker Ph.D.
phone: 573-882-5075
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Bruce Cox
phone: 573-882-6724
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Jeffrey B Wilcox
phone: 573-882-5077
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Mary Pixley Ph.D.
phone: 573-882-5078
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Benton Kidd Ph.D.
phone: 573-882-5073
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Cathy L. Callaway Ph.D.
phone: 573-882-5076
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Arthur Mehrhoff Ph.D.
phone: 573-882-0696
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Lisa L. Higgins Ph.D.
phone: 573-882-6296
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Barbara Smith
phone: 573-882-1701
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The Museum of Art and Archaeology advances understanding of our artistic and cultural heritage through research, collection and interpretation. We help students, scholars and the broader community to experience authentic and significant art and artifacts firsthand and to place them in meaningful contexts. We further this mission by preserving, enhancing and providing access to the collections for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Museum of Art and Archaeology was founded in 1957 as the Study Collections for Art History and Archaeology. In 1961 it became the Museum of Art and Archaeology. In that year fourteen Old Master paintings from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation were given to the university, and the first gallery of the museum was opened in the university library building. In 1976 the collections became generally accessible when the museum moved to Pickard Hall, named in honor of Professor John Pickard. Pickard, who trained in Germany, was the first chair of the university’s Department of Art History and Archaeology, founded in 1891. Together with Professor Walter Miller, an archaeologist and first dean of the university’s Graduate School, Pickard immediately began collecting original works of art, as well as materials for teaching—slides, photographs, oil copies of famous paintings, and a collection of plaster casts of famous sculptures (Cast Gallery). The whole collection was named the Museum of Classical Archaeology and History of Art. Over one hundred and fifty works of art from those early years are still part of the Museum of Art and Archaeology’s collection.
During the depression years, the Museum of Classical Archaeology and Art ceased to exist, as did the Department of Art History and Archaeology, but with the appointment of Professor Saul S. Weinberg to the Department of Classics in 1948 and of Professor Homer L. Thomas to the Art Department in 1950, the decision was made to reestablish the Department of Art History and Archaeology, which led to the creation of the Study Collections in 1957.
In 1967, the tenth anniversary of the museum, Muse, Annual of the Museum of Art and Archaeology, was inaugurated. Muse publishes articles on works in the collection, reports on museum activities, and has in the past included reports on excavations supported by the museum. The annual listing of acquisitions in Muse records the growth of the collection.
With the move to Pickard Hall in 1976 the museum began to play a more significant role in the community. A friends’ group, Museum Associates, was founded at the time of the opening and has played a significant role in supporting the museum’s activities and acquisitions throughout the years.
MUMAA holds more than 15,500 objects in its permanent collections. The collection of Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern art works and artifacts is especially strong, and there are significant holdings from ancient Egypt and Byzantium. The Museum also has important holdings in European and American art from the fifteenth century to the present, including a Samuel H. Kress Study Collection of European paintings. The Museums holds more than 2000 prints and drawings. Asian, African, Ancient Americas, and Oceanic cultures are also well represented.
MUMAA offers a range of educational programs for adults and all ages of children. Programs range from pre-school activities through P-12 docent-led tours, weekend programs through undergraduate and graduate-level offerings presented by staff curators. A range of programs are available for lifelong learners, and special programs are available for senior citizens, including a continuing collaborative program sevring patients with Alzheimers.
The Museum also offers free films, and the Museum Associates support group offers programs like Art in Bloom, the annual Crawfish Boil, and the Paintbrush Ball.
MUMAA maintains a non-circulating working library of reference works relating to the Museum's collections.
Access: Students, Scholars
Appointment required: Yes
Docent or curator-led tours are available, please call 573-882-3591 to schedule a tour.
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Wheelchair Accessible
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