The Akron Art Museum first opened its doors on February 1, 1922, as the Akron Art Institute. It was located in two borrowed rooms in the basement of the public library. The Institute offered classes in arts appreciation and has grown considerably since that time, 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) of gallery space dedicated to the display of its collection of art produced since 1850. The new museum was open to the public on July 17, 2007, and hosts visiting shows from national and international collections.