1883

The Art Association of Indianapolis was founded by a group of 54 dues-paying members. They were led by educator and activist May Wright Sewall and her husband Theodore Sewall.

1895

John Herron bequeathed $225,000 to the Art Association, with only one stipulation, to build a gallery and art school in his name.

1906

The John Herron Art Institute opened at 16th and Pennsylvania Streets, just north of downtown Indianapolis.

1942

Board President Caroline Marmon Fesler reinvigorated the institute in the economic boom that followed World War II.

1960

Fesler bequeathed her important collection of Modernist paintings including Picasso, Van Gogh, and Cezanne, as well as $500,000 new buildings on the 16th street location.

1966

J.K. Lilly III and Ruth Lilly donated their parents’ estate, Oldfields at 38th and Michigan Road, to the Institute.

1970

In anticipation of the move to the Oldfields Estate at 38th and Michigan Road, the Art Association changed their name to the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

The period following the new location was one of fast-paced growth.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art moved to the Oldfields estate. The lead gift of $3 million was given by Ellnora and Herman Krannert to open the Krannert Pavilion.

Several civic-minded collectors gifted their personal collections to the museum, including the Krannerts.

The Clowes Pavilion opened as a gift to Edith Whitehill Clowes from her family. The Clowes Pavilion would serve as the permanent home for the Clowes Collection of Old Masters paintings.

1983

Happy 100 Years!

The IMA’s Centennial Celebration was on June 25, 1983.

Pictured above: Robert Yassin, director of the IMA, is cutting the cake. Left to right: Marilyn Glick, William Carter, Nikki Cederquist, and Bernice Fraction.

1990s

The collection continued to grow:

• Harrison Eiteljorg gave his collection of Oceanic art

• Holliday Collection of Neo-Impressionist paintings

• 75 rare hanging scrolls and folding screens from Japan’s Edo period

1995

IMA's first website was launched.

2000s

Moves were made to begin developing the future Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. Richard M. Fairbanks gifted $15 million in honor of his second wife, Virginia, to transform former gravel quarry.

2001

A $74 million dollar expansion and renovation transformed the IMA nearly to as we know it today.

2009

The Miller family donated their home in Columbus, IN. The Miller House and Garden is one of the most important Modernist residences in the world.

The Miller gift included the property’s design archives and led to the creation of the Newfields Archives.

2017

The Indianapolis Museum of Art became Newfields, a name that encompassed the entire campus and extraordinary range of experiences.

2018

Winterlights opened for the first time welcoming guests to The Garden year-round.

2023

Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait is officially transferred to Newfields by The Clowes Fund completing The Clowes Collection of Old Masters.