About Us
About the Loveland Museum
Our Mission: “Enriching lives and connecting our community through diverse arts and history experiences.” The Cultural Services Board adopted the mission statement on April 24, 2018. It is found in annual reports, the strategic plan, and on the website.
Governance Structure: The Loveland Museum is one of three divisions within the Cultural Services Department of the City of Loveland, Colorado. The City of Loveland is a home rule municipality in Larimer County. The Cultural Services Director reports to the Deputy City Manager who, in turn, reports to the City Council. The Cultural Services Board is the advisory board for the Loveland Museum. This 7-person board meets monthly with three staff liaisons and a City Council liaison.
History of the Museum: Author, collector, curator, and mountain guide, Harold Dunning, founded the Museum in 1937. The City of Loveland took over operations of Dunning’s pioneer museum in 1945. Renovations and expansions throughout the years have yielded an art and history museum that presents rotating and permanent art and history exhibits, family events, adult and youth classes, lectures, poetry readings, and other programming opportunities. The Museum has a 37,000-object history collection, provides educational spaces and community gathering spaces in both the main Museum building and the Beet Education Center located adjacent to the Museum, and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
Loveland Museum is an integral part of the cultural landscape in Northern Colorado and is a destination Colorado art museum. The Museum feels a strong responsibility to its regular patrons and our collaborative partners to move forward with accessible programs that contribute to the high quality of life residents have come to expect in the city.
Loveland Museum Expansion Update 2026: A recently revised Museum expansion design to incorporate the acquisition of The Beet (formerly the Reporter-Herald building) was completed as shown above. This will give us visibility on both Lincoln Avenue and Cleveland Avenue as drivers travel through town south and north. Redesigns of 5th Street are also in the works.
With the failure of the recent ballot initiative, which would have included funds for the expansion, the construction date is unknown at this time.
Meanwhile, we are excited that The Beet affords us greater opportunities for both history and art classes in a wide variety of subjects, styles and media. A new exhibit on the history of firefighting, presented by retired Loveland firefighters, and a research library are also under development for The Beet.
Loveland Museum: Destination Downtown: Nothing compares to seeing something with your own eyes—an original work of art or an authentic historical object. The new Museum will open opportunities to engage with art and history.
A generation has passed since the Museum’s last expansion in 1992. Open Houses were held early in 2017 to provide an opportunity for comments, wants, and wishes from the community. These ideas were included, as well as plans developed by staff and the Cultural Services Board. We are grateful for the thoughtful participation.
The Museum expansion will bring a larger, up-to-date museum experience and a community gathering space where visitors can appreciate local history and enjoy the affirming influence of art.
Explore the Loveland Museum Expansion Concept Book
