Sun Valley Museum of Art

The Sun Valley Museum of Art (SVMoA) is a nonprofit organization and the oldest arts institution in central Idaho's Wood River Valley. Founded in 1971 as the Sun Valley Center for the Arts, it aims to enrich the community through transformative arts and educational experiences.

SVMoA has evolved from a small group presenting classes and events into a professional arts organization that serves over 40,000 patrons annually. Its main operations are based in Ketchum, with an additional location in Hailey to cater to southern Blaine County's growing population. The Hailey site includes a historic house, the birthplace of poet Ezra Pound, and a state-of-the-art classroom.

Accreditation and Recognition

In 2006, SVMoA received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, a distinction shared by only a small percentage of U.S. arts and cultural institutions. This recognition highlights SVMoA's adherence to the highest standards of operation and programming.

Programs and Exhibitions

As a non-collecting museum, SVMoA hosts three to four contemporary art exhibitions annually, exploring timely and relevant themes from diverse perspectives. The museum offers multidisciplinary programs including visual arts exhibitions, lectures, concerts, classes, and performances. Recent exhibition themes have covered topics such as art and healing, supernatural experiences, the intersection of art and synesthesia, and the impact of dams in the American West.

Notable artists whose work has been featured at SVMoA include Cecily Brown, Tina Barney, Emmet Gowin, and Sebastião Salgado. The museum also organizes lectures and concert series, hosting distinguished thinkers and performers like David Sedaris, Junot Díaz, and Gloria Steinem.

Educational Outreach

SVMoA is committed to arts education, collaborating with local schools and nonprofits to enhance K-12 arts education. It offers after-school art classes in both English and Spanish, student exhibition tours, and scholarships for local students and teachers. Over $1 million has been awarded in arts scholarships to support local educational initiatives.

Annual Events and Fundraisers

The museum's primary fundraiser is the Sun Valley Wine Auction, first held in 1981 and ranked among the nation's top charity wine auctions. This multi-day event includes vintner dinners, symposia, and a live auction gala. Until 2018, SVMoA also presented the Sun Valley Arts & Crafts Festival, now managed by Altitude Events Group.

SVMoA continues to be a cultural anchor in the Wood River Valley, fostering community engagement and dialogue through its diverse programming.