The Minneapolis institute of Arts is actually proported to be one of the leading fine art museums in the country! It houses over 100,000 works of art representing over 5,000 years of world art... More

The Minneapolis institute of Arts is actually proported to be one of the leading fine art museums in the country! It houses over 100,000 works of art representing over 5,000 years of world art and culture. Exhibits are both permanent and touringand include rare paintings, architecture, sculpture, photography and more. It is large and amazing so it is a must visit for fun and educational purposes.
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and the price is right, too! Not only is there free admission to the regular, everyday exhibits, this place will be better than you expected. The first piece of artwork you will see when you walk in... More

and the price is right, too! Not only is there free admission to the regular, everyday exhibits, this place will be better than you expected. The first piece of artwork you will see when you walk in is the blazing "sun" like chandelier sculpture created by master glass blower and team, Dale Chihuly. If that alone doesn't amaze you, check out all the other exhibits. There are fabulous collections donated by locals, and there are other, temporary exhibits that will also delight! Seriously, check it out for the free admission, but don't stop at the door--this place is worth an afternoon!
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This building is just fun to be in...art or no. Free for the general collection. The priced special exhibits are usually great and (i think) they are free one night a week. There are usually local... More

This building is just fun to be in...art or no. Free for the general collection. The priced special exhibits are usually great and (i think) they are free one night a week. There are usually local artists about doing mock-ups of the real thing...very Louvre like. Nice amount of sculpture and furniture items. The egyptian stuff is awesome. I try to go at least once a year just to remind myself that museums can be that good.
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With all the major art institutions building humungous new additions and ambitious splashy PR campaigns, the MIA feels a little understated and low key in comparison. Often it feels like it belongs... More

With all the major art institutions building humungous new additions and ambitious splashy PR campaigns, the MIA feels a little understated and low key in comparison. Often it feels like it belongs in a different century -- and maybe it does but that ain't necessarily bad. The location of MIA says much about it as an institution. Up on a hill ovedrlooking downtown, nestled among the old mansions where the 19th century aristocracy thrived (and long since abandoned) the MIA became the storage attic for all the lumber, railroad, milling and river barons of trade to house their collectibles. A great past-time of these worldly priviledged art collectors was to go to the Orient, Africa and South American cultures (or just the east coast) and bring back the riches (booty) they discovered there. Those barons grab up this art like fetish objects, similar to the way red neck bubbah boys are fixated to the chrome bumpers on cars. Contrast this against the modern orientation of the Walker Art Center and you'll have a very different perspective on art, history and culture and a vital one to the appreciation of art. The struggle for MIA is to stay abreast of contemporary sensibilities, just as the struggle for the Walker is to provide a contextual history and relevance for the average educated Joe and Jackie on the street. The MIA has awlays been strong in the area of photography due to very good curatorial oversight. They have mounted major exhibitions of art and antiquities that don't fit into places like Walker, the Wesiman, or the Minnesota Historical Society. Areas they could improve upon are providing series of screenings, lectures or visiting artists / intellectuals / historian what would bring life to their stayed collection. Many years back, the MIA had a series of small but briilant films that would not be shown anywhere else due to their specific focus. They were not well publicized but fabulous in this context. All these major arts institutions have abandoned their commitment to the poor and providing a cultural education to those who cannot afford fees and memberships and that is criticall derisive to an equality society. And MIA has over the years housed the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program but with minimal support and little fan-faire. MAEP is a critical component it a city where the major institutions have often turned their back on local arts and artists. MIA also has a decent cafe and bookstore/gift shop and adjoins the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the Children Theater making up a campus of arts related institutions. Try to take advantage of the free admission days
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The MIA has a little of everything from all over the world. They have impressionists, Asian art, some modern art, sculpture, you get the picture. I like to wander around and look at whatever catches... More

The MIA has a little of everything from all over the world. They have impressionists, Asian art, some modern art, sculpture, you get the picture. I like to wander around and look at whatever catches my eye. It is free, so feel free to go as often as you want. I seldom go to the special exhibits, which cost money, but they are supposed to be good as well. A really ugly building full of great surprises and none of the pretension of the Walker. This is my favorite Twin Cities museum.
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I am always impressed by the artwork I see at The Minneapolis Institue of Arts. There are so many different mediums and styles, so you get the full picture of the history of art. The collection... More

I am always impressed by the artwork I see at The Minneapolis Institue of Arts. There are so many different mediums and styles, so you get the full picture of the history of art. The collection includes everything from heiroglyphics to 1950s advertisents and modern art. It is all very interesting. The only downside is that the museum is so big it is hard to navigate through.
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I went to the MIA once and really enjoyed my visit. I can’t remember exactly, but think it cost about $5 (recommended donation). This was a good deal for a place that you can spend a few hours at.... More

I went to the MIA once and really enjoyed my visit. I can’t remember exactly, but think it cost about $5 (recommended donation). This was a good deal for a place that you can spend a few hours at. While it doesn’t seem to get many really big exhibits, it has a nice collection of interesting art from around the world.
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The Minneapolis Institute Of Arts is definitely a Minnesota treasure. It houses a huge permanent collection that includes many highly significant works, the most famous of which is probably ... More

The Minneapolis Institute Of Arts is definitely a Minnesota treasure. It houses a huge permanent collection that includes many highly significant works, the most famous of which is probably Rembrandt's masterpiece "Lucretia." While the institute doesn't get the same sort of high profile traveling exhibitions as NY or Chicago, it does have several smaller exhibitions throughout the year that are well worth seeing. The Museum is expanding and will have a huge new gallery area open in 2006. Admission to the Institute and almost all exhibitions is FREE.
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Relaxing and enjoyable place to spend an afternoon even if you don't pay to visit any of the travelling exhibits. Sometimes I go there just to stroll up to the cafe. Notice the views of Mpls on the... More

Relaxing and enjoyable place to spend an afternoon even if you don't pay to visit any of the travelling exhibits. Sometimes I go there just to stroll up to the cafe. Notice the views of Mpls on the way up the steps. The food is from D'Amico and Sons and is fantastic and reasonably priced. It is tough not to feel good after spending time here.
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Our family thoroughly enjoys our visits to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. We have been many times and there is always something new to see. We also have gone with or without our children. We... More

Our family thoroughly enjoys our visits to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. We have been many times and there is always something new to see. We also have gone with or without our children. We enjoy it as well as our children enjoy it. Next door is the Children's Theatre. So consider combining a show with a visit to the museum. There is also a nice part to visit to the area.
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