The mission of the Wiregrass Museum of Art is to increase awareness, education and appreciation of the visual and decorative fine arts by providing quality exhibitions and interpretive programs in Southeast Alabama; and by collecting and holding in trust important and significant works of art that reflect our cultural heritage and give inspiration and expression to the human spirit and experience.
The Wiregrass Museum of Art is the result of a community’s genuine desire for the arts in the city of Dothan, Alabama and surrounding communities of the Wiregrass Region. Begun in 1991, WMA has grown to be the flagship of the arts in the Wiregrass with a mission to bring the fine arts and art education to Dothan and the Wiregrass Region. However, it took years of planning and dedication by a group of local people to bring WMA to life.
In 1986 a national magazine listed Dothan, Alabama among one of the “Worst Places to Live” in America. One reason the magazine gave was the city’s lack of a museum. To address the issue, current mayor at the time, Larry Register, appointed a Feasibility Study Committee to address the possibilities of establishing a museum in Dothan. Members of the committee included Elaine Johnson, Terry Slaughter, Sam Kates, Bob Johnston, Sid Wilson, Sam Maddox and Jeannie Maddox.
After meeting with consultants and reviewing studies provided by the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce that showed a museum would benefit the economics of the area by expanding its cultural profile, the committee determined that Dothan was in the greatest need of a municipal fine arts museum with a strong educational basis. The museum would be named the Wiregrass Museum of Art. Through a 1989 city ordinance, the WMA Board was created, and directors were appointed to represent each ward of the city. The city’s former Municipal Light & Water Plant, constructed in 1913, was selected for the Facility and local architecture firm Donofroe & Associate began renovations.
Today the WMA is home to seven galleries exhibiting works from its more than 500 piece collection alongside the works of local, state and national artists. In addition to its galleries, the museum’s 12 thousand sq. ft. Conference Center, with a Great Hall and four meetings rooms, provides rental space for corporate and private events.
The WMA offers an assortment of art programs for citizens of the Wiregrass Region designed to create and enhance art participation, family and community involvement and art experiences. Financial support for these programs, preservation of the collection and other museum operations are received through annual appropriation for the city of Dothan, donations from private and public sources, grants and foundations, membership dues, and earned income.
Besides providing art and art education to the community of Dothan, WMA frequently partners with other organizations on various projects and festivals in the Wiregrass Region, these organizations include: Troy University, Dothan City Schools, Houston County Schools, The Downtown Group, The City of Dothan, Wallace Community College, Dothan Civic Center, Dothan Opera House, Landmark Park, Dothan Humane Society, Dothan Service League and the Dothan Wiregrass Art League.