The Ann Arbor Art Association was formed in 1909 by a group of local artists and University of Michigan art department faculty members who wished to further their talents and interests by collaborating with like-minded people in the community. Their first exhibit home was in Alumni Memorial Hall. The Association continued to hold exhibits, both juried and non-juried, in the Hall until the 1940s when it moved to the galleries of the Rackham building.
As the Association gained members, it began to expand its focus to include the promotion of art appreciation in and around Ann Arbor. Examples included the Youth Art Shows, which showcased the work of local school children, and the very successful Christmas Exhibits and Sales. The Association also exhibited members' artwork at City Hall and the Ann Arbor District Library, a practice that has continued to this day. In 1960, the Association collaborated with the Ann Arbor Merchants Association on the Ann Arbor Street Craft Fair, an exhibition and sale that quickly gained fame and popularity.
Although these records end in 1969, the Ann Arbor Art Association continues to be an active and vital group, promoting a love of art and enabling amateur artists in the community to foster their talent and love for various medium of artistic expression.
From the guide to the Ann Arbor Art Association Records, 1909-1969, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)
