Founded in 1919, this unique 60,000-square-foot museum has three program divisions: art museum, performing arts and a school of art. It also has a substantial permanent collection of internationally recognized works as well as an extensive collection of European and American art.

Connected by an education wing is a Victorian-era Italianate mansion called Fountain Elms, listed on the National Register of Historic Places that houses the MWPAI decorative arts collection.