Terra Museum of American Art

The Terra Museum of American Art was an art institution in Chicago that displayed a large collection of works from America spanning different artistic periods. The holdings ranged from the Colonial era through modern artistic movements and offered insight into various creative developments.

The collection was founded in 1980 by Daniel and Adeline Terra and was first located in Evanston before moving to Michigan Avenue in Chicago in 1987. The relocation was intended to make the institution accessible to a wider audience.

The institution played an important role in sharing American artistic traditions and regularly displayed works that showed how artistic expression evolved across different periods. Visitors could see how painting developed in America from its beginnings through the modern era.

The physical location closed in 2004, but the collection continues through loans to museums around the world. A permanent loan agreement ensures that works remain on view at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The museum organized over 200 exhibitions focused on different American artistic movements. These exhibitions helped introduce lesser-known artistic developments in America to a wider audience.

Location: Illinois

Inception: 1980

Founders: Daniel J. Terra, Adeline Richards Terra

Website: https://collection.terraamericanart.org

GPS coordinates: 41.89440,-87.62460

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:25