Polk Museum of Art: A Cultural Gem in Lakeland, Florida

The Polk Museum of Art is a private, non-profit art museum in Lakeland, Florida. It is a teaching museum that seeks to enhance lives through inspirational and engaging art experiences for all. It is the largest and only nationally accredited visual arts organization in Polk County and the only fine art Smithsonian Affiliate between Orlando and Tampa.

A visit to Polk Museum of Art includes permanent and temporary exhibits housed in a two-story building. The museum’s building includes an outdoor courtyard with tables and artwork and a gift shop. This Lakeland museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

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History of Polk Museum of Art

Polk Museum of Art was founded in 1966 as The Youth Museum of Imperial Polk County. It was renamed Polk Public Museum in 1969 as it had a focus on history and science as well as art. 

In 1970, the Board of Trustees purchased a vacant Publix supermarket, doubling the museum’s previous exhibit and classroom space. With accreditation in 1983 came another name change to its current name.

The museum moved into its current facility in 1988. The building, designed by architect Ernie Straughn, features a two-story lobby filled with light and wide hallways where art is also exhibited. 

When we visited in summer 2023, an $8 million expansion was underway. When it’s complete, it will add 14,000 square feet of exhibit space, classrooms, and art labs to the existing 38,000 square foot building. Learn more about the expansion and support the project at the Polk Museum page for the expansion.

Exhibitions at Polk Museum of Art

Exhibits at Polk Museum of Art occupy space in the hallways and four exhibit rooms. We visited to catch the temporary photography exhibit, Seen & Unseen: Photographs by Imogen Cunningham, and were pleasantly surprised at the diversity and breadth of artwork on display at this museum.

Permanent Collection

The museum’s permanent collection includes over 2,500 works of art, ranging from contemporary pieces to ancient artifacts. The permanent collections originally focused on art created by Florida artists or in Florida by visiting artists. However, the focus has shifted over the years to include more international works of art as well.

The African and Ocean art collection was donated largely by Dr. Alan Rich and his wife Linda, who administered eye care to patients at clinics in Papua New Guinea and throughout Africa. This collection features artifacts which speak to the close spiritual bond between humans and animals.

Heart for Art exemplifies one of the museum’s visions – to foster a relationship with art among area students. This exhibit, though it changes each year, showcases the artwork of K-12 students from Polk County’s public schools.

Temporary Exhibits

The museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing works by both local and international artists.

I visited Polk Museum of Art with my photography club specifically for the Imogen Cunningham exhibit. Cunningham was a female photographer who worked in a male dominated photography field. Working alongside greats such as Ansel Adams and Edward Weston, she helped pioneer a West Coast photography style which used iconography and composition, which intentionally contrasted that of East Coast photographers.

We found her work to be inspiring and beautiful. She liked to use the naked human form in much of her photography, but also captured everyday street scenes and played with lighting in her nature photography. 

It was difficult to photograph her work because of the reflections on the glass/plexiglass which covered them.

Other temporary exhibits included Steve Kenney’s In the Eye of the Mind, Hungry Planet: What the World Eats, and Material World: A Global Family Portrait. Hungry Planet and Material World both explore the similarities and differences of eating habits and material wealth around the world.

Visitor Information

Admission to the museum is free, although they encourage donations. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Parking is available on-site, and the museum is wheelchair accessible. Get more details the latest exhibits and events at the Polk Museum of Art website.

Final Thoughts on Polk Museum of Art

For residents of and visitors to Lakeland, the Polk Museum of Art presents a wonderful opportunity to indulge in art viewing. For students and budding artists young and not-so-young, the educational programs at the museum offer wonderful chances to improve your skills. If you find yourself in the area and are a museum enthusiast, take a half day to explore this hidden gem in Lakeland.

If you enjoy smaller museums or unique ones, you might also enjoy Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg or Ybor City Museum State Park in Tampa.