Milwaukee Art Center

An outgrowth of the Milwaukee Art Association, the Milwaukee Art Society was reorganized in 1909 by civic leaders and a nucleus of the Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors, Inc. in the city of Milwaukee. The Society's mission was to display exhibitions, create a permanent collection, and provide fine arts education to the public. Industrialist Charles Allis was named the first president and Frederick Layton the first vice-president. Membership in the newly formed American Federation of Arts gained access to national traveling exhibitions ca. 1911. A hallmark exhibition "The Modern Spirit" was organized by the society's first director, Dudley Crafts Watson. Professional and community organizations held their exhibitions and productions at the society's newly purchased building on Jefferson Street. Initial groups included Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors and Society of Applied Arts (Wisconsin Designer Crafts Council).

On April 5, 1988, Layton Art Gallery, commissioned by Frederick Layton (1827-1919), held its inaugural. The Layton was built by William J. and George Ashdown Audsley of London, and assisted by Milwaukee architectural firm, E. Townsend Mix and Co. It was dedicated as a public gallery to house Frederick Layton's permanent collection. Following his death in 1919, Curator/Director Charlotte R. Partridge expanded education programs at the Layton, particularly by adding a commercial art school, Layton School of Art in 1920. The school was administered separately. In 1951 the Layton School of Art relocated, allowing the Milwaukee Art Institute additional gallery space in the Layton Gallery by 1953. In 1954 Dr. LaVera Pohl, Director of the Institute (1951-1955), retaining her title, also became Director of Layton Art Gallery and its collections. The Collection, administered by the Layton Board of Trustees moved, together with the Milwaukee Art Institute, into the newly built Milwaukee Art Center (Milwaukee County War Memorial, Inc. building) in 1957. The Layton Art Gallery was demolished the same year.