Fargo - 704 First Ave N - ND 58102
The Plains Art Museum, a cornerstone of cultural life in Fargo, North Dakota, traces its roots back to 1965 when it was founded as the Red River Art Center in Moorhead, Minnesota. After more than three decades of growth, the museum relocated to Fargo, where a turn-of-the-century International Harvester warehouse was transformed into a modern art space. The renovated building opened to the public in 1997, combining historic architecture with state-of-the-art facilities designed to preserve and present art in innovative ways.
Today, the Plains Art Museum encompasses 56,000 square feet, including 9,000 square feet of galleries with climate and light controls to protect the collection. Its welcoming layout includes performance spaces, the Goldberg Art Lounge, visitor services, and The Store, alongside specialized studios such as the Hannaher’s, Inc. Print Studio and The Dawson Studio. These facilities reflect the museum’s mission not only to display art but also to cultivate creativity in the region.
One of its most significant additions is the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity, a 25,500-square-foot expansion connected to the museum by a skybridge. This center provides classrooms, studios, and exhibition areas dedicated to fostering dialogue, experimentation, and community engagement. By emphasizing creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication, the museum’s programs inspire participants of all ages to see art as a tool for both self-expression and problem solving.
The Plains Art Museum maintains an active permanent collection while also hosting rotating exhibitions that connect local, regional, and national artists. Its balance of education, cultural preservation, and artistic innovation has established it as the largest art museum in North Dakota and a vital cultural hub for the Upper Midwest.
More than a museum, Plains Art Museum is a place where art and community intersect, offering experiences that celebrate heritage, spark imagination, and encourage lifelong learning.
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