The Museum of Russian Art

The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) is an accredited nonprofit institution in Minneapolis dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the visual art of Russia. Founded in 2002 by collectors Raymond and Susan Johnson, the museum moved to its current home on Stevens Avenue in 2005 — a Spanish Colonial-Revival structure originally built as the Mayflower Congregational Church. Architect Julie Snow oversaw the conversion, preserving the building's peaked ceilings, rich red oak floors, and original stonework while integrating modern climate control and exhibition systems. TMORA's permanent collection spans more than 13,000 works across paintings, sculpture, folk art, Soviet posters, nesting dolls, porcelain figurines, and decorative objects. The museum presents eight or more exhibitions each year, complemented by lectures, seminars, and concerts. It holds accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and operates independently, maintaining a curatorial voice unconstrained by outside political or commercial influence.