The Pulitzer Arts Foundation is an art museum devoted to presenting the art of today and works from the past within a global context. Located in the heart of St. Louis for more than 20 years, its home is an architectural landmark designed by celebrated architect Tadao Ando. Open and free to all, the Pulitzer is a cultural and civic asset to the St. Louis community and a popular destination for visitors from around the world.

At the Pulitzer, expansive light-filled galleries host world-class art exhibitions and anchor an array of free programs, ranging from talks to concerts, literary readings, dance, performances, and wellness workshops. The Pulitzer is a place where ideas are freely explored, new art exhibited, and historic work reimagined.

In addition to the museum, the Pulitzer campus has several outdoor spaces, including Park-Like—a garden of native plants and pathways, the Spring Church—an open air stone pavilion and beloved landmark, and the Tree Grove—a shady picnic spot with oak and redbud trees.

Curator, philanthropist, and arts patron Emily Rauh Pulitzer established the Pulitzer Arts Foundation in 2001. The idea originated in the early 1990s as she and her husband, Joseph Pulitzer Jr., selected the Japanese architect Tadao Ando (b. 1941) to create a space for the display of art from their collection. By the opening of the Pulitzer in 2001, the premise had evolved into a non-collecting art museum and space for museum innovation and experimentation.

To complement Ando’s architecture, Emily Pulitzer invited artists Richard Serra and Ellsworth Kelly to create new artworks for the building. Kelly’s site-specific wall sculpture Blue Black was made for the museum’s Main Gallery. Serra’s Joe—named in homage to the late Joseph Pulitzer Jr.—was installed in the outdoor courtyard.

From its beginning, the Pulitzer has presented a wide range of exhibitions featuring historic and contemporary art from around the world and exploring a diverse array of themes and ideas. Recent highlights have included Barbara Chase-Riboud Monumentale: The Bronzes (2022-23); Hannah Wilke: Art for Life’s Sake (2022); Terry Adkins: Resounding (2020-21); Striking Power: Iconoclasm in Ancient Egypt (2019); Ruth Asawa: Life’s Work (2018-19); Blue Black, curated by artist Glenn Ligon (2017); Medardo Rosso: Experiments in Light and Form (2016-17). These exhibitions are complemented by a wide range of free programs, ranging from talks to concerts, literary readings, dance, performances, and wellness workshops.

In addition to the museum, the Pulitzer campus has several outdoor spaces, including Park-Like—a garden of native plants and pathways, the Spring Church—an open air stone pavilion and beloved landmark, and the Tree Grove—a shady picnic spot with oak and redbud trees.