The Susquehanna Art Museum began in 1989 as a dream in the minds of four central Pennsylvania art educators. They were distressed that a major statecapital had no art museum. Guided by a desire to expose children to great works of visual art, these educators set about making a museum. Community leaders, businesspersons, and a group of dedicated volunteers soon joined in their vision.

From the beginning, SAM has thought of itself as a "Museum Without Walls." This concept reflects the Museum's accessibility to the general public. The Museum emphasizes flexibility by featuring the VanGo!, a museum on wheels.

From 1993 until March, 2000, SAM maintained a facility within Strawberry Square, a community center in downtown Harrisburg. In April, the Museum moved to its space in the Kunkel Building, on the corner of 3rd and Market Streets, caddycorner from the Whitaker Center.

The museum's new facility occupies the first three floors of the Kunkel Building, and includes many exciting features. Three galleries and other public spaces are devoted to the presentation of works by internationally-recognized artists. The Doshi Gallery for Contemporary Art features the works of regional artists on the second floor. The facility also includes three classrooms, known as Creation Station, targeted to different age groups. The facility is designed to meet national museum art education standards.

The Museum features four, seasonal exhibits each year. The exhibits are comprised of museum-quality pieces by internationally-recognized artists. All exhibits have an educational component and reflect the diverse cultural heritage of our community as well as a wide range of aesthetic interests. SAM's Doshi Gallery for Contemporary Art presents recent works by emerging and established artists.

SAM has developed its educational concepts through the direction of an Educational Committee made up of leaders in the field. Our mission is to be your local resource for excellence and innovation in art education. Today, the Susquehanna Art Museum occupies a unique place in our commonwealth as Harrisburg's Art Museum.

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