A richly illustrated history of the creation and first quarter century of St. Louis’s world-renowned museum of contemporary and historical art

Since opening in 2001, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation has become a must-see American museum, winning acclaim for its stunning architecture, innovative exhibitions, and deep engagement with its Midtown neighborhood of St. Louis. Marking the museum’s twenty-fifth anniversary, this is a comprehensive illustrated history of its founding and evolution into an internationally recognized institution.

Founded by Emily Rauh Pulitzer, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation has been a pioneer since its inception. The museum is housed in the first public building in North America designed by Pritzker Prize–winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando, and represents a major investment in St. Louis’s urban center. Through its innovative exhibitions and programs, the museum has offered opportunities for curatorial and scholarly experimentation while shedding light on groundbreaking artists who deserve wider recognition. In recent years, the addition of new public outdoor spaces has transformed both the Pulitzer and the neighborhood around it, highlighting art and nature.

This book gathers the voices of many individuals who have played key roles in the museum’s story. It includes an interview with Emily Rauh Pulitzer conducted by longtime board member Jim Cuno, former president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust; new essays by Tadao Ando and the artist Glenn Ligon; recollections by the artists Ellsworth Kelly and Richard Serra, both of whom created work permanently on view at the museum; and contributions by executive director Cara Starke, senior curator Stephanie Weissberg, and assistant curator Heather Alexis Smith, among others.

The result is a rich portrait of a visionary arts organization that serves as a model for how cultural investment can transform our civic and art-historical landscapes.

Distributed for the Pulitzer Arts Foundation