Welcome, everyone, to Your Museum.
We are committed to championing diversity, equity, access and inclusion.
Internally this means building a more diverse and inclusive workplace and Boardroom reflective of our diverse audiences, participating in ongoing Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion (DEAI) and implicit bias work, and viewing all internal policies and procedures through an equity lens.
Outwardly it includes continuing to curate exhibitions with broad representation of ideas, identities and voices, and creating respectful and socially responsive programming in collaboration with community members.
It values expanding opportunities for individuals from under-represented groups to create, learn, teach, intern, work, visit, and thrive at the Museum. It means listening, creating opportunities for dialogue and fresh perspectives, and being a courageous ally.
We are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion because the collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our staff, Board of Trustees and audiences bring together ensures the Museum is and will be a welcoming place for everyone.
Our Mission
Founded in 1912 as the Art Association of Newport, the Newport Art Museum traces its roots back to a collective of ardent cultural supporters, including patron and sculptor, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney; Pulitzer-Prize-winning author, Maud Howe Elliott, and artist and educator, Helana Sturtevant… Their shared vision sought to champion the arts for public enjoyment and established the foundation for our artist-centric ethos.
Our Museum’s Mission is to showcase artistic excellence both historical and contemporary, enrich the cultural landscape, and invite all to connect through the power of art.
Housed in the historic John N.A. Griswold House, designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt in 1864 and acquired by the Art Association in 1915, the Museum has been a hub for lectures, art classes, and exhibitions for well over a century.
In 1919, the Museum’s campus expanded with the construction of the Cushing Building, designed in the Beaux Arts style by architects Delano & Aldrich. Within this building is the Cushing Memorial Gallery, dedicated to the works of American artist Howard Gardiner Cushing as a lasting tribute to his memory and legacy. In the adjacent rooms, a dynamic rotation of exhibitions showcase work by some of the most engaging and thought provoking artists of the past and present. In 1984, the Art Association broadened its focus to become the Newport Art Association and Museum, transitioning to a collecting institution while continuing to exhibit, support artists, and offer arts education.
Today, the Museum’s collection boasts nearly 3,000 objects spanning from the 18th century to the present, including prints, paintings, sculptures, fiber arts, and more. Through our historic buildings, engaging exhibitions, and charming grounds, we serve as Aquidneck Island arts campus – a nexus of culturally-diverse life in the region.
The Newport Art Museum is also home to the Minnie and Jimmy Coleman Center for Creative Studies. Located in the Gilbert S. Kahn building, the Coleman Center is renowned for its commitment to fostering artistic talent and innovation among individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. It is recognized for the caliber and diversity of its offerings, from summer camps for ages 3-16, to adult classes in drawing, painting, ceramics, and more. It is a vibrant platform for artistic exploration and education that enriches the cultural landscape of our community.
At the Newport Art Museum, we embrace the belief that art welcomes all. Our goal is to energize our collection and gallery spaces through active public engagement. The visitors’ voice and engagement breathes life into our mission, and ensures our exhibitions and programs are relevant and meaningful. Art possesses the ability to challenge perspectives, foster connections, and enrich our communities. We look to the Museum to grow as a widely recognized destination for artists, creatives, innovators, scholars, travelers, and the culturally curious, both locally and from around the world.