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Art Museum Opens in Science Hall
When the University of Wisconsin-Madison was founded in 1848, art was not the University's top priority. The simplicity of frontier life during that time did not lend itself to growth of the visual arts. However, despite art being an overlooked area of the curriculum at the University, the school still showed a comparatively early interest in fine art by creating an Art Museum within Science Hall. Unfortunately, the gallery caught fire in 1884, destroying all pieces in the gallery. -
Engineering Department First Offers "Manual Arts" Program
Although some courses in the Latin department touched on classical art, the University of Wisconsin began its commitment to the arts in 1910 when the engineering department in the College of Letters and Science offered a "manual arts" program. This program acted as the progenitor for the Art Department that we know today. -
School of Education Separates from L&S and Forms Department of Art Education
In 1930, the newly-established School of Education separated from the College of Letters and Science. When it split from L&S, it created a Department of Art Education. At the time, William Varnum, who was a member of the art faculty for more than 20 years, served as the chair for the department. -
GI Bill Causes Art Education Program to Expand
In 1946, veterans returning form their service in World War II were eager to pursue their education through the grants provided by the G.I. Bill. University enrollment swelled in all areas of the campus, placing new demands on the University's physical and human resources, and the art department was no exception. This led to rapid change and growth for the department, allowing for the department to establish its legitimacy on campus. -
Remodeling of Education Building to Accommodate Program
From 1945 to 1955, the University of Wisconsin Art Department more than tripled its enrollment, leading to a period of serious growth and development of the program. No development was grander than the remodeling of the Education Building to accommodate the ever-growing Art Department. The remodeling creating a new exhibition gallery, a ceramics workshop, expanded space and equipment for photography along with many more developments. -
Master of Fine Arts Offered
The Art Department furthered its growth in 1957 with the new offering of a Master of Fine Arts degree. This step only continued to legitimize the program and allowed for the Department to grow once again. Just two decades later in 1978, the curriculum continued to grow by offering a Bachelor of Fine Arts, allowing for undergraduate students to gain better professional experience in the studio areas of the visual arts than what what the pre-existing B.S. program offered. -
First Studio Program in Art Glass
By the 1960's, the present-day configuration of the art department had been fully established and the program had been fully legitimized. Harvey Littleton, who served as department chair during this time, continued to the development of the department through the creation the first studio program in art glass in the United States. This established the program as innovative as it now began to offer even more unique courses. -
Humanities Building Opens
By the end of the 1950's, the rapid growth of the program was apparent and the department now needed a larger space to grow. In 1962, building committees were established in the department of art to create what is now the Humanities Building. When the building finally opened in 1969, the space was finally large enough space to offer each of the major components of the program- art education, two-dimensional studio art, three-dimensional studio art, and graphic arts- their own separate areas. -
Tandem Press Built
A major addition to the Art Department came in 1987 with the establishment of the Tandem Press. Founded by faculty member Bill Weege, the Tandem Press built on a long tradition of excellence in printmaking at the University. The press produces prints by nationally recognized artists and allows students to learn about economic and artistic factors that go into the operation of a major print studio. -
Art Lofts Opened For Use
In the early 21st century, the department acquired a foothold in a warehouse next to the Kohl Center so that the Art Department would have space for subjects such as ceramics, glass, and woodworking. The University then renovated the space and when in was completed in 2009, the department now had 160,000 square feet of space dedicated strictly to art, which was a huge step forward for the department.
