The Georgia Museum of Art, located on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, is a premier art museum in the southeastern United States. With a collection of over 10,000 objects, the museum provides a comprehensive look at American, European, and Asian art from the 19th century to the present. The museum's mission is to collect, conserve, exhibit, and interpret significant works of art to serve the academic, artistic, and broader communities.
History of the Museum
The Georgia Museum of Art was founded in 1945 by Alfred Heber Holbrook, a professor of art history at the University of Georgia. Initially, the museum was located in the university’s North Campus, but it moved to its current location in the Performing and Visual Arts Complex in 1996. The museum’s new building, designed by architect W. Glenn McConnell, provides over 79,000 square feet of exhibition space, allowing for a wide range of exhibitions and programming.
Permanent Collections
The Georgia Museum of Art has a diverse collection of over 10,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and photographs. The museum’s permanent collections include:
- American Art: Works by artists such as Thomas Sully, Thomas Cole, and Mary Cassatt
- European Art: Paintings and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries, including works by artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri Matisse
- Asian Art: A collection of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean art, including ceramics, sculpture, and prints
- Prints and Drawings: A collection of over 5,000 works on paper, including prints, drawings, and watercolors by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí
The museum's collections are not only a valuable resource for scholars and researchers but also provide a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with a wide range of artistic styles and periods.
Temporary Exhibitions
The Georgia Museum of Art hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, featuring works from its permanent collections as well as loans from other museums and private collections. Recent exhibitions have included:
- Women’s Work: Feminist Art from the Collection, an exhibition showcasing works by female artists from the museum’s collection
- Modern Masters, an exhibition featuring works by modern artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Edward Hopper
- Art and Nature, an exhibition exploring the relationship between art and the natural world
These temporary exhibitions provide a fresh perspective on the museum's collections and offer visitors a unique opportunity to engage with new and innovative works of art.
Education and Programs
The Georgia Museum of Art offers a range of educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages, including:
- Tours: Guided tours of the museum’s collections and exhibitions
- Art workshops, hands-on activities for children and adults
- Lectures and events, featuring artists, curators, and scholars
These programs and activities provide a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with the museum's collections and exhibitions in a more in-depth and interactive way.
| Exhibition | Artist | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Women's Work: Feminist Art from the Collection | Various | February 1 - May 31, 2022 |
| Modern Masters | Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper, and others | June 1 - September 30, 2022 |
| Art and Nature | Various | October 1, 2022 - January 31, 2023 |
Visit the Museum
The Georgia Museum of Art is located at 90 Carlton Street, Athens, GA 30602. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and admission is free. Visitors can park in the museum’s parking deck, and the museum is accessible by public transportation.
What are the museum’s hours of operation?
+The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Is admission to the museum free?
+Yes, admission to the museum is free.
Can I park at the museum?
+Yes, the museum has a parking deck, and parking is available for a fee.
