TMORA Museum Postcard

The main building of The Museum of Russian Art postcard. 6 1/4" x 4 1/2"

TMORA was founded in 2002 by Raymond and Susan Johnson, collectors from Minnesota.

A gallerist and art dealer, Mr. Johnson began to study the Soviet art-market in the late 1980s, as the political liberalization of the former Soviet Union was taking place. He initiated the process of researching the availability and documenting the quality of Russian art of the second half of the 20th century by engaging a number of renowned independent art historians living in Russia to assist him in identifying the important artists of the period. Mr. Johnson made his first major purchase in 1990.  His collection of over 10,000 paintings and drawings includes works by hundreds of the most important artists of the period.

The Johnsons recognized the importance of their collection and, desiring to create a legacy honoring Russian art of the Soviet period, they initiated the idea of a museum dedicated specifically to exhibiting the art of Russia from that time. They founded The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) at a Bloomington, Minnesota location in 2002, and the Museum’s inaugural public exhibition took place that year. With the mission of promoting education, enlightenment, and engagement through the art of Russia, the Museum received its (501)(c)(3) status as a non-profit corporation from the IRS in 2002, as well.

TMORA is governed by an independent Board of Trustees.  In 2005, the Museum moved from its original Bloomington site to its current location in Minneapolis.  The Museum continues to expand its focus beyond 20^th century paintings with exhibitions of Russian icons, photography, printmaking, lacquer art, porcelain, textiles, Soviet posters, Matryoshka dolls, Russian Christmas ornaments, contemporary Russian émigré artists, and beyond.  Exhibitions at TMORA are designed by the Museum staff and generally include works selected from its growing permanent collection, supplemented by items obtained on loan from various museums, individual collectors, and artists.