You’ll know you’re at the Trout Museum of Art when you spot the bright orange-and-tan brick building with tall windows, gold letters across the front, and a giant origami-style crane perched above the entrance.
Picture this: in the heart of downtown Appleton, a building that once held furniture now bursts with creativity-and, I might add, with a pretty spectacular papery bird on its face! The Trout Museum of Art started life back in 1960, and by 1972, it was tucked away on North Morrison Street before moving into this art-filled fortress, once destined for couches and coffee tables. In 2010, the Trout family made a splash-donating their entire art collection and setting up a million-dollar trust, earning the place its quirky fishy name. Around then, the Boldt Company built that glowing glassy atrium you see. But the museum’s journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing-recent plans for a flashy new home by the river met with more drama than a stage play, thanks to worried locals and some questionable soil. Never fear: a new chapter is coming, with plans to team up with Lawrence University! Before you go, catch the annual TMA Contemporary, where Wisconsin’s dreams go on display, or any of the dozen-plus exhibits that spin through each year. Creativity has definitely found its happy habitat here!
