Saint Louis Art Museum
The Saint Louis Art Museum was founded in 1879 as the St. Louis School and Museum of Fine Arts, and reopened in 1906 in the beaux-arts style building that houses it today. In 1909 the Museum became a public entity supported by a city tax, and eliminated general admission fees. In 1971, voters in St. Louis City and County approved the creation of the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District (ZMD), a political subdivision of the State of Missouri, and the Saint Louis Art Museum became the Art Museum Subdistrict of the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District of the City of St. Louis and County of St. Louis.
Accreditation
In March 2021, the Saint Louis Art Museum was reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). AAM is a nonprofit association that brings museums and museum professionals together to promote excellence and develop standards and best practices. After a rigorous, year-long assessment, the Museum was recognized for its institutional growth, stewardship of resources, and community trust, including its commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. Accreditation was awarded for 10 years, with the next process set to commence in March 2030.
Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District
The Saint Louis Art Museum is a member of the Zoo Museum District, one of the largest tax-supported cultural districts in the country. Other member organizations include the Saint Louis Zoological Park, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Saint Louis Science Center, and the Missouri History Museum.
The Zoo Museum District 2017-2018 Report to the Community is available for viewing here.
The St. Louis Art Museum Foundation
The St. Louis Art Museum Foundation, a Missouri nonprofit corporation, was established in 1985 for the sole purpose of supporting the mission and activities of the Saint Louis Art Museum, including but not limited to fundraising and other activities and assisting in financing expansion and renovation of its facilities. The mission of the Saint Louis Art Museum is to collect, present, interpret, and conserve works of art of the highest quality across time and cultures; educate, inspire discovery, and elevate the human spirit; and preserve a legacy of artistic achievement for the people of St. Louis and the world.
The Foundation does not own any real property nor does it conduct any activities other than those that support and promote the Museum. All income of the The St. Louis Art Museum Foundation comes from private sources.
The St. Louis Art Museum Foundation is governed by a three-person Board of Directors and two non-director Officers.