The century-old crown jewel of Texas arts, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston (MFAH), is gearing up for a spectacular Spring Festival to commemorate its 100th anniversary on April 21, according to a report from Chron. The venerable institution, which opened its doors on April 12, 1924, with its neoclassical Caroline Wiess Law building, now stands tall with a vast expansion that includes the Audrey Jones Beck Building and Nancy and Rich Kinder Building.
Known for its sweeping collection of 70,000 pieces spanning six continents and 6,000 years of history, MFAH is not only the oldest but also one of the most-frequented art museums in the United States. Their coming centennial celebration, New Beginnings, is set to lushly unfold in the famed museum's gallery spaces, sculpture garden, and plaza with free access for everyone to enjoy a comprehensive slate of art-making, live music, dance performances, and a taste of Houston's diverse food scene, Chron details.
In addition to reveling in its past glories, the MFAH is looking squarely into the future, envisioning the next chapter in the museum's and art's evolution. Adding to the festivities will be arts scavenger hunt highlighting themes of resilience and performances by local talents such as The Jones Family Singers and Mezclada Dance Company, just to mention a few. Food offerings will be eclectic, from ChòpnBlọk's West African flavors to Sweets by Belen's Peruvian delicacies, poised to cater to a modern Houston's palette, as stated on the MFAH website.
Meanwhile, the administrative heartbeat of the institution, once a small organization with grand visions, now boasts a net asset of $2.038 billion as of 2023, as Houston Chronicle reports. The museum's long and storied path from its humble beginnings to hosting temporary exhibitions by celebrated artists like Kehinde Wiley is chronicled by the diligent management of archivist Marie Wise, who's in charge of historical records. "We serve as the institutional repository for the museum. Think of us as the museum’s historian... as the museum’s attic," Wise told Houston Chronicle.
From a neoclassical façade proclaiming "Erected by the people for the use of the people" to being a reflection of Houston's fusion of cultures and dynamic growth, MFAH stands not only as a testament to the visual arts but also as a living, breathing participant in the cultural fabric of the city. With the Spring Festival scheduled from 1-5 p.m. on April 21, you can reserve a (free) ticket for the gallery on the MFAH website, ensuring your place at this historic Houston milestone.
