Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 1982 The American Public Art Museum: Formation of its Prevailing Attitudes Marilyn Mars Virginia Commonwealth University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd Part of the Art Education Commons © The Author Downloaded from https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1302 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ART MUSEUM: FORMATION OF ITS PREVAILING ATTITUDES by MARILYN MARS B.A., University of Florida, 1971 Submitted to the Faculty of the School of the Arts of Virginia Commonwealth University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of d~rts RICHMOND, VIRGINIA December, 1982 INTRODUCTION In less than one hundred years the American public art museum evolved from a well-intentioned concept into one of the twentieth century's most influential institutions. From 1870 to 1970 the institution adapted and eclipsed its European models with its didactic orientation and the drive of its founders. This striking development is due greatly to the ability of the museum to attract influential and decisive leaders who established its attitudes and governing pol.icies. The mark of its success is its ability to influence the way art is perceived and remembered--the museum affects art history. An institution is the people behind it: they determine its goals, develop its structure, chart its direction.