Opened in 1927, the Honolulu Museum of Art stands as a testament to Anna Rice Cooke’s vision. She dreamed of a space where diverse cultures could converge through art. This museum is the largest of its kind in Hawaii. It boasts one of the biggest collections of Asian and Pan-Pacific art in the United States.
Anna Rice Cooke wanted to share her love for art with Honolulu and Hawaii. The Honolulu Museum of Art has grown. It is now the largest private visual arts exposition in Hawaii. It presents a permanent collection of over 50000 artworks from around the world.
The Honolulu Museum of Art is on Beretania Street. Anna Rice Cooke and her family donated their property. They also gave an endowment to establish the museum. Bertram Goodhue designed the classic Hawaiian-style building. It features simple off-white exteriors and tiled roofs. Hardie Phillip finished the project after Goodhue died.
J. Carter Brown called the Honolulu Museum of Art “the finest small museum in the United States”. It houses innovative exhibitions and an art school. There is also an art house theatre a cafe and a museum shop. The Honolulu Museum of Art is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is registered as a National and State Historical site.
The Honolulu Museum of Art has a large Asian art collection. It includes Japanese and Chinese works. The James A. Michener Collection is a crown jewel. It features over 10000 Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints. This is the third largest collection of its kind in the United States.
Major collections feature European and American paintings. Decorative arts plus art from Africa Oceania and the Americas are here. Textiles and contemporary art are displayed. The museum has over 23000 works on paper. You can see Impressionist Post-Impressionist and early modernist paintings. These are by artists like Van Gogh and Monet.
The Honolulu Museum of Art traces art history in Hawaii. There is a gallery for Hawaiian traditional arts. Art by Hawaii artists and art of Hawaii are showcased. The permanent collection is in 32 galleries and six courtyards.
In 2011 The Contemporary Museum gifted its assets. The Honolulu Academy of Arts then changed its name. It became the Honolulu Museum of Art in 2012.
The Doris Duke Theatre is at the museum. It seats 280 people. The theater hosts movies concerts lectures and presentations. The Robert Allerton Art Library has 45000 books and periodicals. It is a non-circulating research facility.
Education is at the core of the Honolulu Museum of Art’s mission. The Honolulu Museum of Art School opened in 1990. It serves thousands of children and adults each year.
The Honolulu Museum of Art occupies 3.2 acres. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free for members and children 18 and under. Free admission is offered to Hawaii residents on the third Sunday of the month. Guided tours are offered daily.
The Honolulu Museum of Art stands not just as a repository of art. It embodies a vision of cultural harmony. It enriches the lives of all who visit.