Milwaukee Art Museum

It's always a great visit. This time, I got my girls to sit down and make stetches copying the art they found interesting. It's very rewarding for me to see them begin to appreciate the beauty in color, form, and composition. It's a good destination on a cold day.

Great museum, with a fascinating main exhibit. Heavy on the contemporary and modern art (which I still don't understand but to each their own) and a nice collection of European art on the first floor, American art (among others) on the third. Had a lovely, thoughtful time. Spent three hours here but could have spent more if we weren't so hungry.

This is absolutely my favorite art museum I've ever been to. I may be a little partial because I did live in Milwaukee for well over a decade and a half. I recently went to an event for yoga. It was in the Calatrava, Quadracci.. it was so great Aside from that I recommend this museum any day anytime because of all the wonderful works of arts and all of the exhibits that they have

The Milwaukee Art Museum is perhaps the crowning jewel of the Milwaukee lakefront, with its stunning architecture standing out, against a gorgeous backdrop of Lake Michigan. The museum is equally admirable, with thoughtfully chosen artwork spread across 4 levels. There's a cafe, with windows overlooking Lake Michigan, and a museum store. Museum parking is limited, but there's enough parking available across the street. 3-4 hours would be sufficient to explore the artifacts on display, although one can always spend more time.

Absolutely gorgeous art museum. The architecture and landscaping is stunning. Installations are thoughtfully and beautifully displayed. Free lockers. Thursday nights from 4-8pm is pay what you wish.

Beautiful. I visited from out of town and was impressed by the thoughtfulness behind the art installations. I only had enough time to check out the main floor exhibits and was there for 3 hours. They have a cafe on the lower level and an open window area on the first floor that overlooks the lake. It was breathtaking. There was hardly any lines when I arrived around 10 AM on a Saturday.

Amazing modern architecture, the art museum has a great permanent collection - a little bit of everything - modern art, contemporary art, European art, American art. We visited it on Thursday night after work - this is the only day the museum is open until 8 pm. Definitely worth a visit!

Really beautiful building! You can enter and explore the main lobby areas without a ticket. Apparently the outside wings move at certain times of the day! We didn't see that happen while we were there. They also have a cool round elevator!

What a gem! Never in a million years would I expect to find such a wonderful museum in Wisconsin! So many well known artists, and the limited carving exhibit was absolutely stunning! He building itself is a sight to see, and not something I'd expect from the Midwest. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan add to the overall vibe. The staff was incredibly patient and kind towards the group I was with today, and I cannot wait to return with my friends in the near future. Big bonus, parking was only $9 for the 2 hours we were there, which is UNHEARD of if you were to visit the art museum in Chicago. Such a wonderful way to spend a Sunday! I just wish there was a bistro or gift shop attached to the museum, but this is just a personal preference as a "tourist", and the lack of the two doesn't take from the experience.

It's very professionally done, but I was a little underwhelmed by it. I think for $27 I was expecting a bit more. The vast majority of their holdings is American work, some of which is pretty cool, but I was expecting a more global representation. They do have some European items, but they're mixed up with everything else. There could be more organization and more diversity, I think. $27 is a little steep for a local art museum of this caliber. Having said that, their old European clocks were absolutely mesmerizing.

Visited the Milwaukee Art Museum when I had a free Friday afternoon in Milwaukee and had a good experience. Others have commented on the architecture of the building and it is stunning -- probably the most stunning museum structure that I have ever visited and just as probably the most memorable aspect of my visit to the museum. The collection at the museum is a tail of three floors. The first floor has a nice collection of European Art spanning several centuries, along with a small collection from the Ancient World, along with a good collection of 20th century art. The European collection is nice, but it emphasizes lesser known artists. The 20th century elements include works by a lot of well known names. I am not a huge fan of 20th century art so for me the presence of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and some of their peers does not inspire me the way it could inspire others. The second floor included a lot of folk art. As with the 20th century art that I saw on the first floor, I am just not a fan of folk art, so we moved through the second floor quickly. The third floor was the special floor for me. Here we have the impressionists and the early 20th century art that resonates with me. I'll leave it to visitors to the Milwaukee Art Museum to assess the art. It is a personal matter to do so. I enjoyed a lot of my visit, and I am sure that there are plenty of people who would not love the art that I loved while they are wowed by the pieces that do not move me.

World class museum. I'm always enriched and inspired when I get over there. The building, the exhibits and location are all show stoppers.

I have long wanted to visit the Milwaukee Art Museum, mainly to see its incredible architecture designed by Eero Saarinen, David Kahler and Santiago Calatrava. I especially wanted to see the moveable Burke Brise Soleil wings but the stormy weather this weekend prevented this. No matter, the museum is breathtaking, from the soaring Windhover Hall, the Alexander Calder mobile just slowly rotating above you as you enter, the magnificent lake setting and the mix of classical and contemporary art. It feels like a futuristic city when you enter the Quadracci Pavilion. The museum staff was friendly and welcoming. It's not a large museum so it wasn't overwhelming. Janitor by Duane Hanson looked so real i actually thought it was someone standing there. Untitled by Robert Gober was very interesting and thought-provoking. I was glad to see Love by Robert Indiana -- I have seen this in New York and Indiana. I enjoyed the visit greatly and was almost persuaded for a membership. Had it been a sunny day I might have readily done so. In any case I will return soon.

This was a beautiful museum. The building itself is gorgeous, and the art is fantastic, too.

I thought it was only okay... for $26? I felt like the art wasn't my cup of tea. Nice way to spend 1-2 hours not but not my favorite exhibit.

I had the grandest time at the Milwaukee Art Museum! I had the pleasure of meeting the artist, Idris Khan, during the early sneak peek at his art exhibit. There was a live band, cocktails and appetizers during this event. So many unique art work! The art of local area high school finalists for an art competition was also exceptional. As others have mentioned, the architecture of the building is stunning. Designed by architect and sculptor, Santiago Calatravo, the museum's signature wings open and close at certain times of the day. The view of Lake Michigan provides the perfect backdrop. There was so much to see. I enjoyed my visit so much that I returned again the next day!

10/25/23 - Milwaukee Art Museum is located along Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. This museum is an absolutely stunning piece of architecture/art & structural marvel by Santiago Calatrava. I went up to Milwaukee w/my brother (from Seattle) & my wife. I have seen this building before but never tire of the sheer genius, elegance & beauty of this masterpiece. Anyone who is familiar w/Calatrava's work would recognize the signature of his masterpiece. I love this masterpiece. Among Calatrava's masterpieces are this Milwaukee Art Museum, World Trade Center subway in New York City, the turning torso in Malmo Sweden. These are just a few of Calatrava's works. I also went to see his bridge while I was in Seville Spain. Calatrava has many more works then the few items I mentioned This is not the first time nor will it be my last time as it's an incredible piece of art & architecture worthy of multiple visits

Had the pleasure of visiting the Milwaukee Art Museum for the first time on Saturday. The museum happened to be free admission that day which was incredible. The museum has 3 levels and has art ranging from contemporary modern to classical truly accommodating to different types of art lovers. I really liked the way the modern contemporary art gallery was set up. There are many rooms and the gallery layout is very open. Would definitely recommend everyone Wisconsin resident to check it out once for the experience!

Art in Bloom is my favorite event of the year! We all look forward to celebrating the start of spring with beautiful art paired with gorgeous flowers. You can relax and have a drink, listen to music, shop, and spend at least 2 hours or more enjoying the lively atmosphere.

The Milwaukee Art Museum offers a stunning centerpiece to the lakefront. It's filled with gorgeous art and the building itself is a piece of architectural art. The three buildings that comprise the art museum were designed by three separate and notable architects. With, for me, the most stunning being the winged building (made to look like a bird about to take flight across the great Lake Michigan) designed by the same architect, Santiago Calatrava, who designed Oculus in NYC. Depending on the day/time of day, you may find the wings closed or in their full, expansive glory. It's a stunning building to behold. My most recent visit here was for their annual Art in Bloom event, where local floral designers, create floral designs inspired by the art in the museum (and placed near that art). It's a stunning event and one that I highly recommend if you fancy flowers, art, or both. We're so lucky to have such a beautiful art museum that is filled with so thoughtfully and intentionally curated art. Get to it!

This place was absolutely fabulous, and I love architecture in the wings are open, so cool. We spent over 2 hours, had to cut our time short, because we were only In Milwaukee for one day, but I'm glad we took the time to come here. I WOULD RECOMMEND

I went to the art museum on a Wednesday afternoon and not many people were there. It's along the lakefront and the building architecture is very nice. Possibly my favorite part of the visit. Staff was very helpful and pleasant. Saw a few pieces of art I liked and several pieces I thought were ok. I'm in no hurry to go back unless they have an event showing the artwork of an artist I enjoy.

Great space to spend a day and get lost. Space is so clean, parking no stress and reasonable

Well this is a change in regards to seeing an art museum on my birthday today. So far the admission has been free since I addressed that and they didn't even look at my driver's license as validation. In regards to the museum for art I did like it a lot. The building feels more contemporary or modern contemporary on what is being displayed. Compared to the Art institute of Chicago with your neoclassical architecture almost like your typical contemporary Art museum or museum in general with that style of architecture. But I like the fact that the admission was not too expensive compared to Chicago. They had both contemporary living artists in the beginning especially with this British artist Khan whose photography reflects repetition almost like animation for videos next to other things he does with books and reading musical notes he also does contrast of color or solid color. There were also some antique works of Frank Lloyd wright as well as furniture on the upper level. It's interesting how the transition of Renaissance and baroque art that they changed the wall style as you go further into the building. My only disappointment was the cafe was busy thus the four stars and not a perfect five since I came at the wrong time of being hungry.

This is another hidden gem in Milwaukee. A must place to come and visit. Every room area is filled with beautiful art and exhibits. The Architecture of this building alone is stunning. I was in total awe walking through this museum. We spent 2 hours walking around experiencing the beauty of this place. Even the outside of this place is unbelievable. Admission is $10.00 and worth it. It sits on a lake which makes it even more beautiful. Very relaxing and comfortable.

Beautiful facility featuring a wide range of art styles and time periods. I only had an hour of free time and am not a huge museum person, but could have definitely spent 2 hours exploring the museum. During the summer, they have select Thursday nights free so be sure to check it out!

My boyfriend and I are currently visiting Milwaukee. We arrived here on Wednesday, October 18 for his 19th stop on his NBA Arena Tour (Go Bucks!) after a brief trip in Chicago (for the Bulls). We elected to visit the Milwaukee Art Museum on a whim - it was super rainy yesterday and he didn't finish working until around 4PM. Luckily for us, the museum was open until 8PM on Thursdays. We really had no expectations, as both of us are admittedly not that knowledgable about this kind of art - save for an Intro to Art History course I took my freshman college ages ago (aging myself here). The entire building is a work of art itself (didn't capture a photo, but Google this museum and you'll see!). The location is right on the water, which made for fantastic views from the atrium. The open-concept layout of the building was very inviting and made it feel a lot bigger than it actually was. The navigation arrows on the floor also assisted in making sure we didn't miss anything. Again, we are not "art people", but there are a few artists' names that have made their way into the mainstream which I immediately recognized and was happy I saw their works in real life (Andy Warhol, Roy Lichenstein, Mark Rothko, Georgia O'Keeffe, Kehinde Wiley were a few that stuck out to me). I was most impressed by the furniture exhibits. I am a former employee of two higher-end furniture brands (Room & Board, Restoration Hardware), and it was fascinating to see how the designs they currently sell were inspired by historical works of art. The Charles Eams' chairs are basically the entire aesthetic of Room & Board. I had no idea this exhibit existed, as again, we did zero research in prior to coming here. This one exhibit was definitely a highlight of my entire time in Milwaukee. You could easily spend 3-4 hours here, but we went rather quickly - maybe 2-2.5 hours due to poor planning (we were STARVING by the time we got to the third floor). We skipped some exhibits on the last floor. At quick glance, they looked like European royalty/nobility portraits which we didn't really care for anyway. Tickets are $22 per person, discounted if you are military/college student/senior citizen, which is a steal if you plan on spending 4 hours here. I would definitely recommend it!

The external wing design is fascinating, but you can only see the opening and closing of the wings at specific times. They have paid parking underneath the museum and across the street, but there are actually free street parking not too far from the museum. They also have way more modern and abstract arts than I was expecting.

My art loving daughter was very excited to go here on our weekend getaway. I can't remember the last time I went to any museum so this was a treat for me. Lots of cool paintings and sculptures. We made it a point to see the wings on top of the museum open up at 10 am and then close at noon. Such a cool thing to see. Great views of the lake on a clear day was a bonus. I enjoyed my time here and so did my daughter. Would recommend this if you are in town. Worth the price to get. We spent two hours there.

The building is gorgeous, the art thought-provoking. Loved to see the exhibits with the history of furniture pieces. The popular janitor statue was also fun, giving us a scare at first sight. We got to experience the wings moving at noon out on the bridge. A great attraction you can't miss in Milwaukee!

The MAM houses an incredible collection of important art in a world class building -- every art lover who visits Milwaukee should definitely make time to stop by. You won't find "THE most iconic" works of notable artists at the MAM, but the works on display are important examples of their overall bodies of work--and like me--you might find many of them more interesting than some better known pieces. And there are many works by lesser known but highly talented artists that are worth spending some time contemplating in the intentions of the artist. Kudos to Milwaukee and the benefactors who have established and supported this museum.

Enjoyed Chihuly and Picasso art work. The collections in this museum are great and enough. We spent almost 4 hours , but we should visit another day to complete the whole collection. The modern art on the first floor was great and various from different artists, but my main reason of visiting this museum was the art work of Dante Chihuly . Just fascinated by the collection that I visited . From each main artist they had at least 5 to 6 or if less than that they had the main ones so this place is a hidden gem.

The architecture of the building is the best thing about it. Admission is pricey. For the price, there should be more history and story for way more pieces than there are. For the average citizen, it's not worth a visit without some kind of self-guided tour. Hiring a docent package is an option, but costs even more money. There was a headphone icon on one piece indicating a self-guided tour via headphones was available, but that wasn't an option that was offered at the admission desk. Headphones would also cost more money. More description at each piece, and floor standing information signage for how to read the room would be a small investment with a big impact. For example, the museum claims to be the "home" of Georgia O'Keefe, but there were only 11 pieces, none of which were recognizable, and no description as to why those pieces were chosen, or why they were significant. They were indiscriminately dispersed among other artists without clear meaning for the category. There was a description of her Wisconsin history and geographical travels. Good job, but needs more.

I loved this museum! It is so bright and open! I am thankful I got to visit while the Jules Cheret poster exhibit is going on (ends October 16th, so go and see it!). It is really well organized/ set up. Even my mom, who isn't a big museum fan loved it! A great view of the lake! One thing that I did not appreciate, was that non-members had to pay a higher price for souvenirs. But, I understand the excitement this would generate for a member.

Take your time ! Astonishing building ( see the "wings" in action at 10, noon and 5 pm. Beautiful exhibits and viewing areas.

We were in Milwaukee for the long weekend, and walked from our hotel downtown to the Betty Brinn children's museum and then to Discovery World (we stopped for lunch in the cafe in the Milwaukee Art Museum in between, which was a lovely spot for lunch and the only place to get real food on the winter Saturday we were in this area). It was a full but easy, fun, and good day. The building is absolutely beautiful. The bridge to walk across the road towards the museum is cool. We took the elevator down to the sidewalk and saw the button cafe floor, so we went to the cafe. The cafe is very cool looking, big rounded windows facing the lakefront path and the lake. The seating is cozy and intimate in a comfortable way that was acceptable with a little kid. Food was good. Real ingredients. We're vegetarians leaning vegan, so unplanned meals out aren't always so great. The atrium of the building is very cool. It's worth stopping in here for a coffee/snack and a look in the atrium even if you don't visit the art museum itself!

A beautiful museum with a surprisingly wonderful collection. There's something to please every type of art lover, and the building itself is gorgeous. The lake views are lovely.

A really lovely museum with a great collection. A little bit of something for everyone and beautiful architecture and lake views to boot. We were there for a few hours and their underground parking only cost $10. Admission is $22 per person.

"I'm back baby!!" ~ MAM After closing its doors briefly at the end of 2020, the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) is open for business, with a new one way flow, reservable appointments, and some refreshing new art, as well. I really recommend a MAM membership, for visit tix, complimentary MAM After Dark tix, attractive membership gifts like an Orchard St. Press tote bag, or a Reginald Baylor coffee mug, and much much more. We visited on re-opening weekend, and loved it. The new "flow" took us through areas we normally wouldn't go through. And we found a renewed appreciation for those areas (religious artifacts, medieval metalwork). Amongst our favorite galleries of American Modern Art I spied a few new pieces by African American artists, and that is great to see! The African American Art Alliance at MAM has done some incredible work adding significant artist purchases to the MAM collection. One of those purchases "On Duty Not Driving" by Milwaukee Artist Reginald Baylor, is one of my favorites. Susan Meiselas "Through a Woman's Lens" photography exhibit happening now, is truly incredible. Meiselas covered the Nicaraguan rebellion in the 90's, NYC in the 70's, and more. Some truly incredible work, and largely with women as the subject focus, as well. Recommend! The Scholastic Art Awards which features middle and High School artists is a great exhibit and celebration! In 2021 that art is only being shown virtually, but watch for that exhibit again in 2022! MAM After Dark is one of our favorite Friday night events in the City! Dancing, art activities, stroll through the galleries at night, grab a drink- they do a great job with a variety of "themes" and I can't wait for in-person events to come back again. The Milwaukee Art Museum is truly world-class!

Wow, saw more blank white walls than artwork. I visit several times a year, and this was really disappointing. The lower level entirely closed until something like October while they prep new exhibits. Another special exhibit area closed until November while they prep a new exhibit. It was the last day of their traditional special exhibit area on the main floor so I don't even want to know how long that's going to be closed. But the real shocker is that a large number of walls had maybe one or two pieces, and many, many pieces that are normally hanging were simply not there. One room upstairs had three glass cases and all the rest of the artwork was MIA - the whole room was an echo chamber. Either extraordinarily bad management of changing exhibits, or the museum is struggling. I hope they get their act together because this is my favorite museum.

My friend and I visited the museum on July 4th to grab some culture and beat the heat. The online ticketing process was easy to use. We parked in the garage and were immediately taken in by the clean design and futuristic feel. We made our way upstairs and started our tour. The museum encourages hand sanitizer, but all the kiosks we tried to use were either empty or out of order. Masks are required though. Only the first floor is open so far, but that was plenty for three hours of wandering. There are some great house exhibits in the permanent collection. The building is as stunning inside as out and the location cannot be beat for beauty and serenity. Glad I finally visited.

Architecture and art meet up seamlessly in this excellent museum. It's a feast for the senses! While they showcase a wide array of periods their modern art collection is most impressive. Very happy to see a diverse range of artists featured. If you are in town, make sure to pay a visit!

Awesome museum! I love the modern art. Will be back next time I'm in town :) nice view of the lake.

This review is only for the building, not the art exhibits inside the museum. It's a bit pricey to enter $22.

Marvelous architecture and tons of things to see inside. I would highly recommend this place when you visit Milwaukee. Inside-out it looks tunning and a pleasure to see. A great spot for art and culture lovers and a great place who appreciate and adore modern architecture.

What a wonderful museum - it's so much bigger than it looks on the outside, and the campus that surrounds it is majestic and quintessential Milwaukee. I loved just about every aspect of this museum's collection and the exhibits, but the most memorable parts were the Kehinde Wiley painting (St. Dionysus), the furniture on view from the 20th and 21st century design, the Haitian art, and although European art is not what I get most excited about, the museum did an outstanding job of displaying the paintings, objects, and furniture. Over the past couple years as I've learned more about art and museums, I've started to pay more attention to lighting and how objects are displayed. The colors used on the walls perfectly highlighted the richness of the collection. And the exhibitions on display were eclectic, timely, and alone worth the visit to the museum. In particular, I could have spent all day with the "On Site: Derrick Adams: Our Time Together" exhibit, learning about history and art together; the quilts of Pauline Parker (and in particular the quilt about Anita Hill); and "American Memory". Although many of the pieces in "American Memory" were impactful and thought-provoking, the photo, "Grand Entry - Fred Beebe's Rodeo - San Antonio, Texas. Jan. 25th, 1924" sucked the air out of the gallery. Eugene Omar Goldbeck's print of the KKK's drum and bugle corps was equally horrifying and mesmerizing. I think the museum's description of the scene perfectly describes why the photo is so important, "The image, in showing the KKK at the state-authorized family event, where the Klan banner was raised alongside the American flag, normalizes the KKK's presence and, by extension, its racist, terrorist activities." I thoroughly enjoyed my time at this museum, and am thankful for the care and thought that was put into the environment, the collections, and the exhibitions on view.

I really loved this art museum. From the moment we entered the parking garage, I was hooked (IYKYK). Everything was laid out well to help with social distancing and the flow of traffic. We bought our tickets online in advance. Even just walked through the museum, the architecture feels like a dream. We spent maybe 3 hours here? It's not a huge museum but there is variety. (and some photo opportunities)!

From the moment of entering into the expanse of glass overlooking Lake Michigan, as you stroll down the glass lined hallway to the galleries, you know that you are in a special space. The galleries range from classical to modern with everything in between. Add the special exhibits and educational opportunities for both adults and children and there really is no better place to spend a chilly afternoon. As summer approaches, so too does the summer programming of music on the lawn, special hands on art projects, and a sunny picnic space.

They have an amazing selection of art. Definitely something to do if visiting Milwaukee. Me and my boyfriend spent almost three hours there. The architecture is beautiful as well.

Reopening day at the Milwaukee Art Museum and I absolutely loved it! This has been on my list to revisit for so long and I truly missed it. They have greatly reduced the art you can view ( sad that I couldn't see any of the Haitian art in the Kohls gallery) but definitely visit it because the building itself is a piece of true wonder. Always brings the kid our in me! Also the wings were open today, so hooray!

Absolutely a sleeper Buy a membership and support The collection is FANTASTIC.. Proud to be a member

I'm not sure if I'd consider myself an art expert, but I know what I like, and I like the Milwaukee Art Museum. A lot. I'll begin with the building itself, which is perched on a perfect spot along the shores of Lake Michigan, just east of downtown. The glass walls on the east side offer a stunning view of the lake, especially when the weather is nice. Then there's the Burke Brise Soleil, which is the museum's fins. Three times a day, it takes about three and a half minutes to open and expand. As described by the museum itself, its design "responds to the culture of the lake: the sailboats, the weather, the sense of motion and change." It's a magnificent sight to see and a excellent fit to the city's skyline. Inside the museum, you'll wind your way through various art periods from the early times to present day. Like I wrote above, I'm not an expert, but I was impressed with what I saw, especially in the modern art section of the museum. I was especially excited to see a Picasso and a Warhol, among others. I recommend to anybody and everybody, especially if you're an art lover.

The building itself is stunning. The entrance to the building is one of the most beautiful museum entrances that I have been in. The building almost feels like being in a science fiction film. The staff was very friendly. The Kohl's kids section was a nice place for the little ones. The museum had a nice mix of art from different time periods and cultures. Great experience for the family.

The beauty of the building really amazed me and put me in a good mood. The architecture and the views of Lake Michigan are expansive and impressive. The art collections are extensive, beautiful and though provoking. Staff are pleasant. Food and coffee were good.

This is a great museum in the heart of Milwaukee. The building itself is beautiful both on the exterior and interior. When you first walk in, you enter a huge atrium with lots of windows overlooking Lake Michigan. I know they do weddings there as well. The museum itself has lots of exhibits with art of different styles and mediums - there's something for everyone!

Well-worth a visit! I visit several times a year, even though it is an hour and a half drive. They have an interesting and enjoyable collection ranging from classic to contemporary. And it is easy to spend a couple hours browsing the collection each visit. The architecture of the building is fascinating outside and inside, so set aside time to walk around the building (inside and outside) to take it in from all the angles. We often park in the buildings garage just for the fun of it, as it is quite unique as well. It might take over a half hour just to get all the outside angles of the building. So plan for that if you enjoy architecture. Their cafe is quite good and offers a wonderful view of the lake. Sometimes we just stop for a drink while bike riding in the area.

This is an outstanding art museum that stands with the best of the nation. The modern building itself is so cool. It's large and varied, but not so huge you'll get bored before your day is over.