The Milwaukee Art Museum is famous for its collection — but the building itself might be the greatest work of art on display. The Quadracci Pavilion, designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2001, is one of the most photographed buildings in America and has become the defining image of modern Milwaukee.
The Wings That Changed Milwaukee
Calatrava’s design features a movable sunscreen called the Burke Brise Soleil — two massive white fins that open and close like the wings of a giant bird. Every day at 10 a.m. when the museum opens, and again at 5 p.m. when it closes, the wings slowly spread to their full 217-foot span. It is one of the most spectacular daily events in any American city, and it’s free to watch from the lakefront.
The History Behind the Landmark
The museum’s roots go back to 1888, when the Milwaukee Art Association was founded. The original building on the lakefront was designed by Eero Saarinen and opened in 1957. The Calatrava addition transformed the museum from a regional institution into an internationally recognized cultural destination.
What’s Inside
The museum’s collection includes over 35,000 works spanning 5,000 years of art history. The collection is particularly strong in German Expressionism, American decorative arts, and folk and self-taught art. The Haitian collection is one of the finest in the world.
Visit the Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Admission charged. The wing opening and closing is free to watch from outside.
