Frist Center Changes Name

NASHVILLE, TN -- No foolin': Nashville's premier arts museum is changing its name to make sure everyone knows it's an art museum.

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is now the Frist Art Museum following a Monday morning announcement. There's a new logo to go along with the new name and a new website at fristartmuseum.org.

"During a yearlong strategic planning process, we discovered an interesting paradox: we are considered Nashville’s art museum by many, but passersby and newcomers to the city often assume that this building is still a post office or a performing arts center. It indicated to us that it was time to fine-tune our message," executive director Susan Edwards said in a message to members.

In celebration of the new name and the museum's 17th anniversary, the museum will be free April 8.

When the Frist opened in 2001, officials wanted to clarify it did not have a permanent collection - something common to "museums," technically - so it opted for the "center for the visual arts" appellation. But that's a distinction lost on the overwhelming majority of the people and causes more confusion than clarification.

Photo via Google Maps