About the Museum

Our Mission

The Meridian Museum of Art is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting works of art of the highest quality, spanning all cultures and periods of history, and to making these collections accessible to the widest possible audience for the purposes of education, inspiration, and enjoyment.

Our History

Founded in 1951 by philanthropist and art collector Margaret Harlow Meridian, the museum began as a modest gallery housing her personal collection of European paintings. Over seven decades, it has grown into one of the region's foremost cultural institutions, with a permanent collection of over 15,000 objects and a campus that includes the original 1938 Beaux-Arts building, a contemporary art wing added in 2003, and the Meridian Sculpture Garden.

Leadership

The museum is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by Director Thomas Harrington, who has guided the institution since 2019. The professional staff includes 45 full-time employees across curatorial, education, conservation, and administrative departments, supported by over 200 dedicated volunteers.