The Museum of Russian Art

Went here for the first time, i gotta say WOW, its A cool place for everyone who loves museums to see! Love the history behind it and the story of each and every doll! Beautiful MUSEUM located in the heart of Minneapolis!

We absolutely loved our visit to The Museum of Russian Art. We came to see the Matryushka exhibit, and were enthralled by all of the Russian art. We were fortunate to arrive on time to join a tour, and David, our guide, was so very kind and helpful, adding depth and context to so many of the exhibits. All of the staff were great, welcoming and helpful and passionate about the art. We ended up buying a membership so we can come back later for more exhibits and periodic music and events.

Wonderful place to visit! View many different types of artwork, from nesting dolls to paintings and much more. The entire museum is very well done, and definitely worth your time! Plan to spend a couple hours here. The free parking across the street is nice, too.

I got super excited when I heard about the nest doll exhibit I had to visit the museum. I enjoy the nesting doll exhibit and had the chance to play with some nesting dolls. The build had three levels to explore. I enjoyed myself and definitely will visit new exhibits. While I was visiting they had a scavenger hunt sheet at the front desk so while exploring I was also hunting 😉

I visited TMORA and had the best experience. From the sweet and informative woman at the ticket desk, the beautiful displays of art, the extraordinary exhibits and to the carefully curated gift shop, it is all amazing. I would highly recommend this museum and will be back.

Loved the museum. Great exhibitions on women peasants and Soviet women. Accurate information (I have russian heritage). Loved the display against the war. The museum shop is great, too, but it was funny to see Finnish Marimekko - not sure how it relates to the Russian art. Anyway, great place, highly recommend

The nesting doll exhibit was so cool! Their gift shop is excellent for the holidays. We went for a special event about Baba Yaga and had a lovely time.

This is a unique one of a kind museum and the only Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) in the United States. Off the beaten path, interesting and eye opening of the trials, lives and triumphs of earlier peasant groups of northern and central Russia; Tatar’s, Bashkir’s,Turks,Yakut’s, Kolkhoz and the like that did the heavy lifting to build Russia. Most minority groups were by force and in camps! Three floors make up this quaint museum. It was very eye opening to me as we didn’t learn any of this treatment in our World History classes!! Resilient women made up the vast majority of workers and this museum thru the “Peasant Women of the Russian North:Heritage of a Culture Lost” exhibit tells the intriguing story of these brave women in the face of adversity. Other exhibit rooms feature beautiful indigenous crafts, textiles, paintings, and housewares along with their stories. Paintings are strong in nature and show the determination of these groups of people and their inner circle culture. They have a beautiful gift shop at the end with so many unique one of a kind items not to be missed!

I have had this museum on my list for a long time. My first visit was on my own and I brought my sketchbook. My second was with the Urban Sketchers group. It's an old church redesigned as a museum so the architecture is open and airy. When I visited, nesting dolls were the main feature. So many dolls. I appreciated being able to play with some on my own. A special exhibit of botanical mushrooms were an outstanding display of watercolors. In the lower level, the Milkmaids Novela is a wonderful painting. Three milkmaids are enjoying a break from work and huge laugh. It made me so happy I couldn't stop looking at it. There is a parking by lot across the street for free parking and there was also plenty of street parking. Staff was wonderful. So glad I finally visited.

I got super excited when I heard about the nest doll exhibit I had to visit the museum. I enjoy the nesting doll exhibit and had the chance to play with some nesting dolls. The build had three levels to explore. I enjoyed myself and definitely will visit new exhibits. While I was visiting they had a scavenger hunt sheet at the front desk so while exploring I was also hunting

My only full day of sightseeing in the Twin Cities was on a Monday and the museums that I wanted to visit were closed. The Russian Museum of Art was one of the very few places open, so we went here. Housed in a repurposed church, the museum has 2 complete floors and a third that is a walkway around the top of the main atrium. The main floor had lots of art and artifacts showing the early Russian peasant days of their daily lives. The top floor has a very large collection of Soviet era paintings and the basement had a collection of editorial cartoons and focusing on Russian atrocities in Ukraine, along with more modern pieces including sculpture. The gift shop is museum like in its offerings of everything Russian / Soviet. Not the biggest or best museum I've been in, but does a great job for a niche collection. I'm glad I went and thanks for being open on Mondays!

This is a unique one of a kind museum and the only Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) in the United States. Off the beaten path, interesting and eye opening of the trials, lives and triumphs of earlier peasant groups of northern and central Russia; Tatar's, Bashkir's,Turks,Yakut's, Kolkhoz and the like that did the heavy lifting to build Russia. Most minority groups were by force and in camps! Three floors make up this quaint museum. It was very eye opening to me as we didn't learn any of this treatment in our World History classes!! Resilient women made up the vast majority of workers and this museum thru the "Peasant Women of the Russian North:Heritage of a Culture Lost" exhibit tells the intriguing story of these brave women in the face of adversity. Other exhibit rooms feature beautiful indigenous crafts, textiles, paintings, and housewares along with their stories. Paintings are strong in nature and show the determination of these groups of people and their inner circle culture. They have a beautiful gift shop at the end with so many unique one of a kind items not to be missed!

Came for the random art, stayed for the gift shop. From what Ive heard this is ONLY museum in the US dedicated to Russian art and culture (1800s-today), I have to say that the $14 admission is worth it for the gift shop alone. You probably wouldn't come here unless you heard about it from word of mouth, but if you're in Minneapolis I highly suggest a visit at least once. Much of the art and pieces come from 19th century Imperial Russia and the USSR with some neat facts and tidbits from that era. Also some provocative modern art displays that artistically show current events in Ukraine that are more relevant than ever. Bike parking is available at the front if you are coming by that way, and I saw plenty of car parking around streets and the lot across the road. But the gift shop was really cool. A little pricey for some items, personally I wouldn't buy the consumables but for Christmas gifts and ornaments some are awesome. Lot of vintage items like Soviet era mechanical tank clocks (clocks they would put in a tank), space themed ornaments (due to the Space race), and lots of books from Soviet authors that have some nice pictures. I do like the Soviet era bus stops, some are absolutely gorgeous and much nicer than a square with glass that we have in Minneapolis haha. Overall, awesome museum that you have to check at least once.

This place is an absolute gem. It's small but has a nice variety, with a moderate price. First of all, the parking: there is no lot immediately adjacent to the museum. There is some parking along the street, including along what is a frontage road for the highway, but museum visitors can also park in the church lot across the street. We had no line upon entry and the place was fairly empty on a January at midday. The lady at the counter was enthusiastic and friendly as she told us about what was on each floor of the museum. We began wandering on the main floor, through an exhibit of winter traditions in Russia, and continued from there. I especially loved some of their permanent pieces like the Milkmaids (no photograph can do it justice). The museum is forthright about their support of Ukraine, which I much appreciated, and even had an exhibit of pro-Ukraine artwork. A lot of reviews mention the gift shop, as well they should. It's a charming place. Expensive, yes, but the stuff tends to be higher quality and/or unique. They had a lot of imported foods I hadn't seen before. I bought a pottery take on Baba Yaga's chicken-footed house, which I absolutely adore. This is definitely a place I'd visit again as exhibits change, and it'd be great to bring company here from out of town (I should note that the museum is not far away from MSP airport).

Way back in the past I attended a wedding and reception at this location when it still functioned as a church. The church relocated across the street and the building now serves as a tribute to the art of Russia. I find the country to be vast and varied. Too large to dismiss or condemn. So too its art. Sure a significant portion is propaganda or political gamesmanship. But a good portion is stunningly beautiful and is deeply moving to me. In my experience, like people worldwide, there are complex, fascinating and highly intelligent Russians to be found amidst ugliness, thuggery and squalor. Similarly Russian art can be sublime or not depending upon one's point of view. But I urge everyone to make up their own minds and tour these galleries themselves. You might find some pieces that speak to you and possibly your soul. But I am getting much too heavy than I first intended. Whether one breezes through or stops to ponder the displays I hope that you find something worthwhile.

Unique space (a former church) that houses the only North American museum of Russian art and culture, covering the breadth of Russia's history, regions, and former territories. Currently featuring an exhibit of a collection of nesting dolls!

"The work of art is born of the artist in a mysterious and secret way. From him it gains life and being. Nor is its existence casual and inconsequent, but it has a definite and purposeful strength, alike in its material and spiritual life." ~Wassily Kandinsky What a beautifully pleasant surprise if you love art! We were wowed by the permanent collection and a few quite extraordinary pieces like: Milkmaids, Novella, 1962 Nikolai N. Baskakov Oil on Canvas, 47 x 90 Gift of Pam and Jack Safar, 2015 The architectural design of the gallery.is beautiful too. - The Museum of Russian Art is the only museum in North America dedicated to the preservation and presentation of Russian art and artifacts.They feature a dynamic rotation of exhibitions providing a gateway to understanding Russia's history, its heritage, and its art through the masterworks of its greatest artists.

My friend and I visited the Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) when we were visiting Minneapolis over Memorial Day weekend a few weeks ago, and it might have been my favorite museum we visited over our three days! The museum was founded by Minnesota Russian art collectors. It has a small permanent collection on the basement floor, a main level that showcases temporary exhibits, and an upper level that houses smaller temporary exhibits. When we visited there were several great exhibits: "Premonition of a Russian Dystopia" an exhibition focused on Soviet artist Geli Korzhev's Mutant Series); "Ukraine Defiant: Paintings by Elene Kalman" (an exhibit of twelve eight-foot-long works on paper by a Ukrainian-born American artist memorializing twelve months of the Russian war in Ukraine); and "Say No to War: Political Cartoons by Ukrainian and Russian Artists" (which is being displayed until the end of the Russian war in Ukraine). TMORA is housed in a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival building that was inspired by a Texas mission in San Antonio, which was a gorgeous space for the art. The museum isn't huge but it's special. Definitely worth a visit!

A great museum for a short visit! The museum itself is pretty small maybe plan for an 45 minutes to an hour, not crowded. It's a good place to learn about Russian history. The nesting dolls were my favorite, they are so adorable. The gift shop is great, everyone was super kind and helpful.

The Museum of Russian Art is a hidden gem of Minneapolis. After visiting, I think it's under-highlighted in city guides and I plan to visit again to see what's new in the rotating galleries the next time I'm in town. The building itself is interesting and historic - I was not expecting google maps to lead me to an old Spanish style church off the highway. It's redone quite well and rarely fees it's age when in the galleries. The diversity of works inside was stunning - painting, sculpture, crafts, commercial art and more. Each given room to breathe and be absorbed as an individual piece. Don't miss out on the gift shop - it's a bit tucked away but it features one of the museums most famous paintings - as well as a treasure trove of goodies. We probably would have purchased double what we walked out with if we hadn't have been so worried about flying with prints.

Love this find it a good afternoon. I have been there several times and always Enjoy it . Love the gift shop

The MRA is one of those places I've been meaning to visit, but just never got around to it. So glad I made my way there. The entrance fee is fairly cheap at $13, and we were pleasantly surprised to find a small quartet playing some classics by Russian composers, so it added to the ambience as we wandered through the halls. They had some great exhibits going on Soviet posters and Chernobyl; along with the other beautiful work you'll find in the museum. You can take as much time as you like here, you don't feel rushed, and I would recommend stopping into the gift shop. It's a bit pricey, but they have some great stuff in there and you can get a small free cup of tea. Highly recommend this museum!

I visit Mpls often and am always looking for something new. The MRA was just the thing. The building houses 3 unique viewing rooms. I enjoyed the artwork in the basement the most. Giant pieces of art. Proletariat, post modern, avant-garde, USSR lovely. On the main floor of the main room a fabulous display of Alexey Brodovitch avant-garde work! A small display room had a display of antique Russian dolls. Wonderful. Be sure to stop in the gift shop for some Russian chocolate.

This is one of the most underrated museums in the Twin Cities. There is a lot to like about it: 1) It's usually pretty un-crowded. You can take as long as you want at each piece. 2) They offer free tours every day (usually at 11). 3) The collection is constantly changing: it seems like the entire museum is different every time I visit. 4) The subject matter is really interesting: I love all of the social realist art, the photo collections from the Soviet Union, and all the other interesting art you don't see much of in other museums. 5) Street parking is free and is always available. This museum is definitely worth a visit every 6 months or so!

I had long had this place on my radar and finally found time on a weekday afternoon to check it out. Unfortunately my timing was a bit off as the downstairs galley was undergoing a re-installation but the upside was a $10 fee instead of the usual $12 to get in. Its a pretty small place, you won't need more than an hour or two and be sure to check out the nifty gift shop up on the second floor. The building has one large gallery in the center, a smaller gallery in the lower level and a gallery running around the perimeter up on the second floor. The space is open-air and very inviting. We found free street parking right out front but they also have a small lot across the street.

We stopped by because it was the only museum open on Mondays and we were in town for a Vikings game. It was a really nice museum, we learned a lot about the history of Soviet era Russia and there was a great exhibit about the non-religious winter holidays that were created during the Soviet era.

The Museum of Russian Art features a delightful array of Russian artwork from the 20th century, highlighting the artistic styles (as influenced by censorship and propaganda) that survived throughout the lifespan of the communist USSR. I highly recommend the free (included with admission) docent-led tour, as a way to better understand the themes the government was trying to emphasize (and those it was trying to squelch). My tour guide was absolutely fantastic, and we had a great time critiquing some of the pieces together and seeing how artistic styles changed over the century. I wouldn't have gotten nearly as much out of the museum without the tour. Whether you take the tour or not, though, you can still enjoy all three floors of artwork here. The main floor features some of my favorite paintings - primarily a lot of government-sanctioned portraits romanticizing the working hero. The upper floor features more eclectic paintings, including some nudes and some more horror-inspired scenes. And the basement is entirely dedicated to a ceramic exhibition my a contemporary Russian artist - these pieces are incredibly cool and unique, but also a bit strange. Overall, I really enjoyed coming here to learn and to enjoy the artwork. I hear they change up the exhibitions semi-regularly, so that might provide a nice incentive to return (otherwise, the $10 admission fee is a bit of a deterrent to frequent visits). Definitely check it out at least once - you'll see some fantastic pieces, plus you'll come away a lot more knowledgeable about the USSR!

I enjoyed every minute I spent here. The at was beautiful, very depictive of events, and I came away having learned a lot. I would suggest people to go, just to see another side.

Visited this museum after wanting to check it out for so long. They have some parking on the street in-front of the museum then they have a parking lot across the street. Inside of the museum it's really just all paintings and a couple of a few dioramas. I would recommend for people that are really into art that are looking for inspo. I probably wouldn't go back until they brought in new displays! The gift shop was super cute! They had so many traditional Russian pieces.

Provocative & powerful exhibits. Remarkable gallery. Great intro/description by the woman at the front desk.

This is the second time I've visited. And the best part is there are no permanent exhibits! This is awesome since it means you can return every half year or so and see all completely new things! There are three floors, with a different exhibit on every floor. This time, the bf and I got to see Russian nesting dolls, religious icons, and modernist paintings from the Vladimir School of painting. Now my bf is not religious, but he was mesmerized by the icons. He also teased me for perusing the gift shop, but ended up buying four postcards. I gave it four stars only because admission costs $10. That just seems like a lot to me.

Awesome place, I loved the "stop war" collection done by Ukrainian and Russian artists. The museum stands for Ukraine and is one of the reasons I visited. Beautiful art and is fun for a little walk.

My mom and I had a few hours to kill, so we decided to stop in. And we are so glad we did! Beautiful and fascinating and filled to the brim with amazing art! Very educational and interesting! Staff was great as well!

Being Russian myself and after reading some nice reviews my girlfriend and I decided to visit the museum/gallery on our last day in Minneapolis. The museum isn't that big - two floors of exhibits with a museum store attached which altogether will take around 1-1.5 hrs to cover. The museum barely represents traditional and classical Russian art and should have the word "contemporary" in its name as it represents modern Russian/USSR artists and their art (mid 20th century to present days). If you'd like to learn more about Russia and its historical heritage and culture I would not recommend this place. There is no artwork from the 18-19th centuries which were the golden age of Russian art. Long story short - if you're a fan of contemporary art it's the place for you, otherwise I'd recommend to pass or you'll find the museum store more exciting than the exhibit itself.

Really enjoyed a recent visit here... wow, what a beautiful, quaint museum! The museum is a converted church with fascinating space with excellent art to enjoy. AWESOME!

What a find! More people should know about this museum located on three levels of a renovated church. The space, architecturally, is enjoyable, as is the art. The exhibits rotate, so you probably won't see the same thing twice if you go here more than once during the year. There's also a nice little gift shop on site that has Russian artwork, Faberge egg reproductions, nesting dolls, and the like. You can find unique gifts here. Currently (2016) the exhibits include a fascinating exhibit of Faberge's non-egg works - tiny frames, cigarette cases, clocks, an automaton, and more. There's a Russian impressionist's paintings on the second floor, and Soviet underground dissident artwork located in the basement level. It's a fascinating space with excellent art to enjoy. You can easily spend an afternoon here, or as little as an hour. We brought our entire family and they all enjoyed it. I would highly recommend the tours which are offered. The volunteer docent we had knew a lot and we learned much from her presentation.

Sarah T and Elizabeth S summed up the cultural attributes of this fine museum so well, I don't think I need to give my two cents on the caliber of paintings etc. What I do want to comment on is the museum as an event space. Absolutely spectacular. If you're looking for a venue to host a fundraiser or throw a cocktail party, check this place out! I was here for a fundraiser for the Allen Page Foundation in which B. Clinton spoke and it was a spectacular evening.

What a lovely little museum! It's the perfect size for an afternoon visit. The museum features a beautiful building and well-curated exhibits. The special exhibit we viewed (The Romanovs; Legacy of an Empire Lost) was well documented and featured one-of-a-kind artifacts including the pearl and diamond earring that Czarina Alexandra may have been wearing when she was assassinated. Need I say that I visited the gift shop? Five stars for the gift shop alone! A lovely selection of truly unique and beautiful items including Russian Matryoshka dolls.

Another great aspect of living in the Twin Cities area is the abundance of great art and architecture. The Museum of Russian art is a great example of both. Located in a Spanish Mission style church (Mayflower) in Minneapolis just off of 35W, this is one of the most highly regarded Russian art museums in the country. The beautiful building is an unorthodox place for such a collection, but it really is the highlight of the experience. The main room has a high ceiling where you can see up to the pieces on the second level. There is also a lower level (it housed photography when I was there) for temporary exhibits, and a beautiful gift shop complete with complimentary hot beverages. The art itself is impressive because Russian art tends to be vastly different from other places in Europe. The role of the strict goverment definitely plays a role in many of the pieces, as does industry, struggle, and hard work. It truly represents many aspects of Russian history. Some may not find such pieces as aesthetically pleasing, but it is equally as powerful. I should mention a couple things for first time visitors... First, parking is free in the lot across the street. Secondly, if you are a student, you can get in free by showing your ID. And lastly, they have a strict NO PHOTOGRAPHY policy. The building is very photogenic and I would have loved to have shot in there, but sadly, it's not allowed. Pros: Free parking lot, excellent art collection, beautiful building, student discount, gift shop, friendly staff Cons: No photography, collection isnt very large in terms of the number of pieces

Awesome place! It's always fun to visit, and I'm always impressed with how often the exhibits turn over. I've been here four or five times, and I don't think I've ever looked at anything twice. Take note Science Museum, and refresh your moldy/oldy exhibits. Anyway, I had a great time here recently when I got to view the Fabergé exhibit. There weren't any eggs, but there was a lot to look at. I couldn't believe how many items were actually owned by the Romanoff family at the exhibit. Also, be aware that the gift shop has a lot of nice ($$$) items. Watch out! You can blow some serious cash there very quickly.

I can't really think of anything they could do to make this a better establishment. I didn't enjoy myself but I'll get to that later. The woman at the ticket counter is of Russian lineage and she is a lovely person. She does a terrific job during her orientation speech of explaining the exhibits and answers the typical questions before you need to ask. She explains each floor and it's respective exhibits. She is elegant and beautiful even though she is older. There is a self-service coat room. The museum is in a wonderful building which is an old church. None of the original religious items remain but the architecture is interesting. There are 3-5 exhibits, presented simply and beautifully . The gift shop is very good as well. Parking is on the street and was convenient on a Sunday So why did I not enjoy myself in such a nice place? I realize this is extremely personal but here it is. I feel a sense of deep sadness when a population of such a wonderful country have been held down and even at times, murdered. I no longer marvel over royal families with great wealth while the populace lives like uneducated peasants. Russia was that way when the Czars ruled. And finally, I was born in the 50's, so for the first 40 years f my life, Russia was our arch enemy constantly threatening our very existence. It is difficult for me to switch gears. It's me, not the museum. I highly recommend this museum. I think too much;) The staff is very nice and knowledgeable. The museum has tremendous historical significance for younger people who are truly not aware of the Communist way of life. I think people today are ready to take a fresh look and never allow this again. Kind of the understanding of Nazi Germany on a milder level. The cost to enter is $12 and $11 for seniors and well worth it!

I'm trying to get my kids more cultured and they were both adopted from a Russian speaking country so I thought --perfect. I've been to this museum before, it's small, the perfect size to just pop in for an hour. They had a nice exhibition on World War I and also a Minnesota/Ukrainian painter's work on display in the basement. Very friendly people work there. Nice parking. The kids got in free. The museum store was very tempting. We will be back.

For my 500th review Its a Museum of Russian Art. As most Americans know Russia is big, large, huge, cold and has bears. This museum is not. Its quite small, not overwhelming and almost homey. They also have heat and no bears. So don't be afraid. Because of the size of the museum you feel like you got to see everything when you are done here. Which is a good sense of accomplishment. They usually have some sort of a rotation with Russian museums and you get to see some rare pieces in small collections. Its pricey, but its for the arts. Skip your latte and go. Also, Ive been to a few events there, its the perfect space for a small (ish) event with mansion providing a very cozy and unique atmosphere.

I visited the Museum of Russian Art today with my niece and her three small children. I had never been to the museum before and enjoy the three separate exhibits. My six year old great niece used the pieces highlighted in the museum brochures to navigate her way through each exhibit. Her mom explains the pieces and pointed out the artists names. It was a great learning for the three of us. Her younger brothers were still a bit young to appreciate and learn, but the museum is very family friendly and seem to enjoy the increased energy the boys brought to the museum. The museum store carries books, jewelry, and a wide range of gifts for the young and not so young. Exhibits changes, so we will be back. I highly recommend checking this museum out.

The Museum of Russian art is housed in a wonderful space. The paintings will challenge your perceptions of what life was like in Soviet times. There are also beautiful depictions of Russian landscapes and lovely portraits of Russian people, both pre- and post-revolution. There is currently an interesting exhibit on art restoration that shows how some of the paintings were restored. There's free tea in the giftshop, and hundreds of sparkly items on sale made by skilled Russian artisans. Most of the items are on the pricey side, but you won't find them cheaper unless you fly to Moscow. Overall, the Museum of Russian Art is an excellent way to spend an afternoon.

Why aren't all museums the size of TMORA? At other museums, you feel that you're being dismembered! Your two feet and two eyes are the four horses to which you are chained to get quarted. Your eyes wishing to see every single object and your feet dreaming the exit door and a sofa pull you in opposite directions and they don't settle down unless you're torn up! But at TMORA, your eyes and feet are at peace. You could spend more-than-enough time on the art work in all galleries and still get out of "the only Russian art museum in North America" in one piece. I like most of their Soviet era art exhibitions and especially enjoyed "The Art of Vasili Nechitailo" exhibition a couple of years ago. Also, the handcrafted works of art at Izba Gift Store located at the mezzanine level of the museum are fun to watch, yet very expensive to buy.

Man this building would make a great house. ;-{) I was not sure what to expect when we decided to visit here. But what we saw was much better than what I figured we would see. Very well presented art of which you do not see every day. It competes with any museum one can find. In the basement there is an exhibit of Jewish heritage in photo form and all the while one reads the explanations it sure does emphasize how difficult life was for these people. Yeah so go, see the art, but a gift if one is of mind and talk with the folks working there. We had a very delightful conversation with the woman at the entrance counter about the museum, out upcoming trip to Paris and hers to Spain, all in all a very nice experience.

This is a little hidden gem of a museum located in South Minny. The building itself is a cool Spanish colonial motiff which is kind of funny since it houses Russian art... The galleries are pretty small but that just adds to the charm of the place plus you can see all of the collection and not be too overwhelmed. Don't miss the gallery in the basement level. It is one of the coolest I have visited. The lights are very dim and the paintings are illuminated by overhead lights. Very dramatic and intense. Lastly, the giftshop is amazing! I was there right after Christmas so lots of the holiday decorations were 50-60% off. Since I love international Christmas decor, I was in heaven! Great book collection that I could have easily spent all afternoon browsing...also a great collection of kids books/toys, etc. Two thumbs up for Russian Art!!

The Museum of Russian Art is brilliant. The space it is in is small, but it is extremely well designed. They change their exhibitions with some regularity and when I was there they had this great tiny exhibition on Russian nesting dolls that was extremely well done and beautifully designed. The other exhibitions were more stoic but also wonderfully presented. The staff I interacted with were very enthusiastic and very helpful. I would agree that the gift shop had a great selection, though it was a bit on the pricey side for me. But, they had free coffee, and you can't beat that! Its a quick museum stop - probably 60--90 minutes but it is very worth the visit.

Super friendly and knowledgeable reception even though I came in right before closing time. The entrance fee was only $9 and the Fabergé egg and wood carving exhibits were both really nice. The building itself is really cool - it is an old Spanish Colonial style church that was gutted and refurbished as the museum. The gift shop had a good amount of imported stuff but it was a little more on the fancy side - there wasn't any Russian foods or candies or small, cheaper souvenirs like magnets like I had hoped - but if you're interested in porcelain and books, they had a nice selection. Another bonus for me is that it was super easily accessible by bus (short walk from Rt 18). A really nice cultural spot in the Cities.

Great museum in old church. 3 small floors, very manageable size. I can be in and out in a couple hours. Great little gift shop too. It can be a little tough to park, but street parking is free.

What a great place! We went there to see Bone Mother and this was an incredible venue for this production. We were able to wander around to look at the art, both before and after the performance. I had never been here before, but I will be coming back!

The exhibits were somewhat small but had some interesting things in them. With the Yelp check in deal, student pricing came to $3 which is pretty great. The gift shop was honestly the coolest part, they have fresh tea there for free and a lot of cool Russian items that would make great gifts.

Very nice museum positive are great art nicely presented. A real asset to city. Negative is it's small but this can be a positive if strapped for time. Nice gift shop too.

My new favorite place in the Cities to visit. The paintings and exhibits here are well worth the admission price and it couldn't be a more beautiful space to exhibit some of this robust Russian artwork. The gift shop is also really fun to walk and all the volunteers are very friendly and helpful. They let me know about upcoming exhibits. Will definitely be back!

I really had a wonderful time at TMORA. I used a Groupon to go with a friend on a blustery December afternoon. The museum is a converted church, and you can tell immediately from the vault-like ceilings that this used to be, indeed, a house of worship. There were two exhibits going on, the one downstairs showcased porcelain ware used during the reign of Romanovs. I was particularly tickled by this since I was just watching the benign, cartoon version of "Anastasia" the day before; needless to say, I spent a few minutes longer around Nicholas II's pieces than with the other Romanovs. It was amazing how exquisitely well-kept the porcelain were. The rest of the museum showcased its current exhibition of The Art of Vasili Nechitailo, a 20th century artist who mostly did oil-on-canvas pieces of the Russian farmland and Steppe. I'm not an art expert, but it was nice to see painting that I could actually appreciate with my naked eyes, not my third (and a tad pretentious) eye that you need for those uber-modern paintings. The museum store was in Christmas mode, with a couple of trees decked with the most adorable ornaments. I was so tempted to buy the Russian Dolls, since it reminded me of the ones we had back in my grandparents' home in the Philippines. Unfortunately, they were expensive (i.e. $83 for a small, hand-crafted piece), so I opted for a magnet that resembled a Russian Doll. Overall, I was greatly impressed at TMORA. It's cool that they fill 80% of their museum with traveling exhibitions, which means it's the kind of museum you'll want to go back to if you're into Russian history and culture.

Russian propaganda on display. The permanent collection everyone loves has been pulled in favor of a dubious WWI exhibit. According to staff it is basically a translation of an exhibition in Russia in which Russia is the victim, and the allies are to blame for everything. This exhibition (along with questions about how the content was developed and funded) would be a great newspaper story. Revisionist history is hard to stomach, Putin's propaganda is even worse!