The Haggerty Museum of Art

The Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University embodies more than a century of dedication to the arts, beginning in 1889 with a single gift: Père Marquette and the Indians by Wilhelm Lamprecht, donated by Rev. Stanislaus L. Lalumiere, SJ. This early gesture planted the idea of cultivating an art collection within the university. Decades later, in the 1950s, English professor Dr. John Pick established the Marquette University Fine Arts Committee, tasked with both promoting the arts and cataloging the works scattered across campus. By the late 1970s, momentum built as the Fine Arts Committee, guided by Dr. Curtis L. Carter, joined forces with the newly formed Marquette University Women’s Council to envision a permanent home for art. Their combined efforts led to the opening of the Haggerty Museum of Art on November 11, 1984.

Since its founding, the Haggerty has been recognized as a teaching museum, presenting eight to nine exhibitions annually. Its permanent collection reflects a striking diversity, with works ranging from Italian Renaissance “Petite Masters” to American self-taught artists, modern photography, and socially engaged art that addresses issues of justice and change. International perspectives are also central, with contemporary pieces from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America featured alongside works by Wisconsin artists.

Educational outreach remains at the core of the Haggerty’s mission. Beyond enhancing undergraduate learning by weaving visual arts into multiple disciplines, the museum partners with local schools, teachers, and artists to design programs that foster creativity in children and youth. It also serves the broader community with free tours, workshops, lectures, and performances, ensuring art is accessible to all.

With its roots in Marquette’s tradition of inquiry and service, the Haggerty Museum of Art continues to serve as both a cultural resource and an educational catalyst, inspiring dialogue and discovery through art.