University of Michigan Museum of Art

really nice collection of european, american, indian, and other international art. Very interesting african art collection as well as student exhibit

Fun and free! I took an afternoon to visit all the UofM museums and this one was a pleasant surprise. Pretty big building with a wide range of art to enjoy. Worth a visit if you need a fun activity for the day.

Great free local art museum. The staff was really amazing with our kindergartners on a field trip!

Excellent art museum that also has a cafe with the kindest employees! Got a heated chocolate muffin which gave me more fuel to check out the art :)

The University of Michigan Museum of Art is a beautiful museum with a wide range of art. It was free to visit the time I went not sure if it’s like that always. The museum offers a welcoming space to explore both classic and modern art.

I was expecting to have to pay to enjoy the museum, but to my surprise, entry is free even for people with no affiliation to UMich, though there are options to purchase a museum membership. I think you get benefits like a few treats at the museum cafe as well as the joy of knowing you're helping to keep art publicly accessible if you choose to participate. I parked at a parking garage nearby and walked to get to the museum, and I enjoyed the collections quite a bit. Their current collection includes works by Carmen Herrera and Leon Polk Smith. Overall, the museum was clean, the staff were friendly, and the art was beautiful.

Free to enter and well worth walking around for an afternoon. Saw a few students studying, there seems to be some desks designated for laptops or groups. Although small, I enjoyed their modern/contemporary art collection the most, and the Jarod Lew exhibition.

Had a lovely time at the museum. It was free, not too crowded, and had a very nice collection with a solid mix of Antiques and Modern pieces. The layout is designed in a way that gets you to see the entire collection effectively, so you don't really need to worry about getting lost. It's kinda like a maze, but if you just keep going forward you hit the exit. Staff was plentiful, help was never far away, and it was obvious how much they cared about their work.

UMMA was honestly the ideal museum for me. Free, easy to access from a parking structure or the bus station, and the perfect size. I believe I was at UMMA for approximately 2ish hours, which is about my limit. Very diverse art and cute gift shop. I'm glad I was finally able to make it in!

This museum is a local gem. Even prior to the renovation (completed almost 15 years ago now) in it's original form it was a resource and inspiration for students and locals alike looking for a quiet stroll and a place to appreciate art. In its former iteration it lived as two floors with an atrium and a few rooms on first and second floor serving as essentially single/double-room exhibits. In its current iteration there's probably more than double the space (though that also meant some of the open green garden and lawn space outside was built over). They have room for a couple temporary exhibits as well as expanded spaces for their permanent collection. The newer rendition of the atrium makes it a warmer, hospitable area, suitable for performances, and the spacious wing integrates a much more modern feel to the entire building. Several years ago when I dropped by they happen to have a string quartet playing live. A lovely, festive experience to listen to their music while enjoying the exhibits. As an art museum in a college town, certainly it's not comparable to gigantic museums in major cities, however they do a terrific job selecting a diverse range of artists and types of art. Well worth dropping by for an hour if you have a free afternoon in the area. As other reviewers have mentioned admission is free. Bathrooms are available and clean.

Despite the fact I lived in Ypsi for a very long time, and worked within almost walking distance of this place for years, I never bothered to stop in and check it out. Since I was on this side of town and had time to kill, I finally got a chance to stop in and check the place out. It's what I consider a smaller art museum, compared to the DIA, respectively. It's free, which is a bonus, so no worries there. You just check in at the front with your name and zip code and your done. It's a few levels high and I got through just about the whole thing. I spent about an hour, hour and a half here even though I could've stayed longer. Plenty to read, see and do, along with many rooms to view. I don't know if they rotate their art or not, but they have an entire room about Cambodia, which was really cool. It talked a lot about Pol Pot, how people were killed and had plenty of different artwork from over the years. They also have a cool sculpture outside which was nice, and many other things to see here. There's a gift shop as well, but I didn't buy anything. My only complaint? PARKING. I forgot how crappy it is in Ann Arbor. This place is literally in the dead center of UM's campus, bars, dorms and the quad. Hell, it's always busy! Since I was a student, some of the side street parking on State street's been turned into a bike lane, but there is a parking garage about a half mile away. I was able to snag a parking spot on the other side of the street after I was able to turn around and such. Make sure to put money in the meter because Ann Arbor is as bad as Birmingham and Royal Oak about handing out tickets. They do not play around here! Overall a great experience, and if I had more time I would've had lunch in the area, but I was to lazy to feed the meter and walk, so I left. LOL.

We parked on the street and walked over to the museum. The parking meters charge you until 6 o'clock and the museum closes at eight so you can actually time it where you're not paying very much for parking. Museum is free entry and has so many lovely things to view in big and bright open areas on each of the floors. Many lovely things to see. I highly recommend a visit here.

Lovely art museum nestled right in University of Michigan's campus. It's FREE to visit! Donations always welcome of course but they don't ask at check in. Really good info on their website to plan your visit - hours, downloadable maps and brochures, info about special exhibits, parking, etc. It is bigger wandering through than it seems like it would be from the outside/front entrance. Went to visit their current Angkor Complex special exhibit - nice collection stirring thought and emotion as to what the Cambodian people experienced during the Pol Pot/Khmer Rouge reign and how the memory of the deceased is honored, resilience nurtured. I had the opportunity to visit Angkor Wat last year so revisiting in a way through this exhibit was very meaningful. Art!

It's really hard to complain about a free museum but I just moved to Ann Arbor from London where most of the museums are free (including the Victoria & Albert, an incredibly impressive and stately art museum, the National Gallery, etc) and I have to say, while there were some pieces I enjoyed seeing it was just SO limited. My dad and I made it through the entire museum in under an hour, and that was pushing it. There were also some elements that weren't clearly communicated. For instance, in the European art section there was a photo of Frederick Douglass. I asked the front desk why and she very clearly and helpfully explained that the "message" of the section is about European colonialism but I didn't see anywhere that explained that in print. They have a small handful of Picassos and a Monet that seemed to be highlights. The current temp exhibition focuses on the pottery of Black potters in a small South Carolina community. It was nice but a huge amount of space was dedicated to an incredibly niche subject whereas the entire Japanese art section was condensed into a single room. It's a pretty museum, just not one I'd revisit unless they had a new temp exhibit that sounded interesting. There is a cafe and some working space too. Staff was incredibly kind - 5/5 stars for the people working.

The University of Michigan Museum of Art is a beautiful museum with a wide range of art. It was free to visit the time I went not sure if it's like that always. The museum offers a welcoming space to explore both classic and modern art.

I have been to UMMA before but it had been a while. Two friends and I went to A2 today and we're looking for something to do so we went here. Admission is free, there may be a suggested donation though. We spent about two hours there but probably could've spent another hour. It's got a good amount of art to see but isn't huge so that was nice. There are also a lot of places to sit and two separate bathroom areas. Overall this was a pleasant way to spend a few hours on campus.

For a free museum, this place really impressed me! There was so much artwork to see, and so many different kinds of art from all over the world too. I spent a good 2+ hours browsing through the entire museum, and even then I feel like I might've missed an exhibit or two. They have a coat room for you to put your coat in so that you can freely walk around and enjoy the artwork. It was clear that the place was well-maintained and well-curated. There was a cute but busy cafe in the museum as well, and I saw a lot of students studying in there which was cool. I think if you're in Ann Arbor and looking for something to do, definitely check out this art museum!

Fantastic free art gallery located at the heart of the University of Michigan campus. A great way to spend an afternoon is just pursuing the spaces of this gorgeous gallery. There are stairs connecting the various floors but there are also elevators and everything is disability accessible. Bathrooms are located on the very bottom floor (don't be fooled by the closet area next to the coat racks at check-in!) This is also where the Study Cases are located and, in my opinion, some of the best artwork in the gallery: the Inuit carvings are striking and hauntingly beautiful. I only had a very short time to visit, a little over an hour, but I was able to see quite a bit in that time. I focused my attention on the Chinese and Korean art galleries, as well as the Modern and Contemporary Art. I was pleasantly surprised to find FOUR Picassos on display! My favorite exhibition was UMMA's Vertical Gallery, with art by Andrea Carlson. In Andrea Carlson's Future Cache, a 40-foot-tall memorial wall towers over visitors, commemorating the Cheboiganing (Burt Lake) Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians who were violently burned from their land in Northern Michigan on October 15, 1900. Written across the walls above and around the memorial, a statement proclaims Anishinaabe rights to the land we stand on: "You are on Anishinaabe Land." To say I was thrilled to see Ojibwe written on a huge vertical wall in the middle of a public space is an understatement! Presented alongside the typography are paintings of imagined decolonized landscapes and a symbolic cache of provisions. This installation challenges visitors to reflect on how they have benefited from the legacies of colonization, to consider where they stand, and where to go from here. It also seeks to foster a sense of belonging for displaced Indigenous peoples fighting for restitution. I definitely recommend everyone come visit this exhibition: on view from now until June 2024.

Three levels of artwork. Top floors are primarily modern and works from Asia. The second floor has some work from Africa. There are a few curated shows which change. However, the ground floor tends to remain the same with paintings (Renaissance?). Many fashionable seating areas. This is not small by any means but a condensed version of larger museums. A beautiful classical building with a modern wing. 30-60 minutes should suffice. You will recognize the works from master artists, albeit some of their smaller works. However, I like the flow of the space. It keeps you guessing but you will find access to what seems like a jigsaw puzzle.

I am writing to praise the University of Michigan Museum of Art. My wife and I just visited. I'm partial to Ann Arbor, having grown up nearby and graduating from the Law School. For me, it is the quintessential college town. Others agree: look at how the Big Chill movie defined a generation, those who were on campus during the Vietnam War era. I would like to highlight two aspects of this institution. First, Brad Cloepfil designed the addition. He is described as a Neo-Modernist. I have enjoyed his works, especially the scale. These are not crushing to the human soul, as some mid century modernist projects can be or late Brutalism. They are suited to their sites. They are humane. Architects have learned from the user experience. What looks good on paper, or what looks good period, might not function as well. Cloepfil also did the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, which shares the aesthetic, and is well worth visiting. Second, I was impressed by the exhibit in colonialism and slavery. They were showing pieces that addressed the subjects directly. They also had paintings such as portraits commissioned by the wealthy that depicted those who were settlers or enslavers. The history and the context was presented factually and effectively, because the low key explanation with minimal commentary renders the background less subject to baseless attacks -- this is not ideology but the truth. When we see other work hanging on the wall in an institution, presented as our common culture that we ought to study and revere, we might accept it without appreciating the wealth and the power that were needed for its creation and canonization. Although I have been to this museum many times, I have been there only twice since the renovation. That opened in 2009. It doubled the interior space. Whenever I travel through town, I look to stop by. It's free, and they have interesting holdings. My wife and I come through the area at least once per year. So I plan to return again.

Beautiful little art museum. We were driving through Ann Arbor to visit Detroit. We decided to stop by the University to visit the museum. It's bigger than expected with several great artists' works on exhibit. I saw about four Picasso, a Max Ernst work of surrealism that was pretty cool, a Kehinde Wiley piece, tons of African American and Asian art. If you're driving through it's worth the visit and it's completely free!

Another free museum like UMNH - this one's called UMMA for short! I'm not too into art but I appreciate contemporary art of the modern era. What I really liked about what this museum offers is their asian exhibits such as the Chinese/Korean halls. It was like being brought back into previous generations of culture and art.

It would be a darn shame if you bypassed this surprisingly expansive museum on your next visit to the UM campus in Ann Arbor. First, it's free (although they suggest a not at all unreasonable $10 contribution). Second, there aren't any students to bother since they don't have time to come in here. Third, it has recently doubled in size due to a $42 million renovation project, and it is quite spacious and modern as a result. And fourth, the art collection was quite impressive for a university museum. Hell, you're on campus anyway. The majestic Greek revival building has been around since 1910, and once you enter, you're looking at the classical alcove holding the European & American Art Gallery (photo: http://bit.ly/2QqODDq). There are five different galleries covering Asian, African, and European art from the 19th century to the present. Of particular interest now is the "Beyond Borders: Global Africa" exhibition showcasing vivid original work like Congolese artist Cheri Samba's "A Tribute to Earlier Artists" (photo: http://bit.ly/2TRyq9m) and Kehinde Wiley's "On Top of the World" (photo: http://bit.ly/2zwUCgp). This museum is definitely worth a visit on your day in Ann Arbor. RELATED - Are you coming to Michigan? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: bit.ly/2TghclT

Great variety (culturally and mediums) of art here. From Picasso to historical Asian artifacts/art, this place is "bigger on the inside" and full of a plethora of pieces to feast your eyes on. It is FREE (suggested $10 donation). It's easily accessible as far as it's location on the University of Michigan's campus. If you're willing to walk, you can certainly find free parking within 15 minutes the MoA (at least on a Sunday...)

When I visited years before the addition was constructed, I quickly realized that this museum was desperate for more square footage. It was obvious that there was so much good stuff just not on display. Well, the bright and light-filled addition solved that problem and this little encyclopedia of a collection looks great. The African and Korean galleries are quite compelling. I kicked myself for forgetting to spend time checking out the extensive Inuit pieces as this genre is one of my favorites. A large gallery on the ground floor features one work: Patricia Piccinini's sculpture, titled 'Comforter', of a young girl with excessive hair on her face and body. This hyperreal figure is seated on the floor cradling what, at a distance, seems to a baby. However, at a closer view, this baby is actually grotesque creature with udders protruding from its head. It has no eyes and no arms but two large feet. The girl's face exhibits a tenderness toward this little mass of flesh in her arms. It's a jarring image. There are large sculptures outside, including Mark di Suvero's red 'Orion'. Behind the museum are a few more pieces, including Michele Oka Doner's 'Angry Neptune, Salacia, Strider,' a cast bronze piece that seems to have been taken over by some rather militant squirrels. They wouldn't let me get close to the sculpture as they chirped loudly to protect whatever collection of nuts they are obviously hiding in the bronze sculpture's cavities. If you're visiting museums in Detroit, it's worth the short drive to visit this museum, too.

This museum was the second one we saw at the University and will gladly admit we were pretty tired when we got here after seeing a classroom building and taking a good distance walk off campus for lunch. I was thankful that in this huge modern space, there were ample locations to sit for a rest. The display spaces were large and bright, on 2 levels with second wing attached building. A cafe is also included and lots of students and visitors were passing through. There was an Inuit special exhibit and many large pieces, both classical and modern in the main display areas. I also enjoyed the small but carefully curated gift shop, carrying on the themes of the exhibits and most items are very moderately priced for an art museum.

For a relatively small art museum (though large for the area), this collection has a lot of variety and something beautiful or interesting to see for everyone. The museum has high ceilings and feels very open, giving space for visitors to really take in and enjoy the art. I also appreciated all of the seating throughout the museum so that I could sit down and just enjoy looking around me and relaxing. The front atrium is quite large and hosts some interesting small performances. The day I visited the museum, the Ann Arbor Guitar Trio was playing; they added a great backdrop for enjoying the art. I highly recommend the visual art, both because it is aesthetically pleasing and because there is the absolute weirdest piece of art that is black and white, and when you put on the earphones, it starts talking about breastfeeding... It definitely added humor (and awkwardness) to the day! This is a great place to visit any day but especially on a rainy afternoon, like we did.

Can't believe this place is free! Great collection and we thought the info cards that go with each piece ( many written by art and history professors) were some of the best we've seen in a museum.

A wonderful museum with so much to see! I really enjoyed the special exhibits: Paramodel, an art collaborative established by two contemporary Japanese artists, Yasuhiko Hayashi and Yûsuke Nakano is really cool and is an art piece with a construction theme. Hills made of styrofoam and toy trucks and cranes. So much attention to detail and fun to walk around in. The Times by Fred Tomaselli is a series of cover pages from the New York Times with new main images created as collages adding to the meaning of the surrounding text. If you haven't seen them yet, looks like they will be there until January 2015! Go see them!

Seriously? Such a gem that you can enter for free (donations of $10 encouraged). This place is a lot bigger than it would appear from the outside, with multiple levels and exhibition halls. Perfect for dates. It also features rotating exhibitions that are of interest in terms of current affairs - an exhibition on the anthropocene era featured, for example, pictures of floods occurring all around the world to help it hit home that the climate crisis affects everyone, rich or poor, in "developed" or "developing" countries. Another exhibition I attended featured a Chinese piece of art that was replicated in the Detroit context with local community members, to highlight the issues of landlord-tenant power/dispute dynamics. I docked one star only because, while I was able to find a brochure left out by someone showing the layout of this museum, I could not easily find a central source for this map. So it might have a little bit to go in terms of easy customer navigation!

I'm surprised this only has 30+ reviews! Maybe it's because I'm not sure where one would park get in? It is free, though, not just for students but for anyone! So, this automatically gets 5 stars. I'm not a museum aficionado​, so from an uncultured swine's perspective, it appears to have art from all points in history, from ancient to modern. The museum has rotating exhibits and events year-round, too. Since it's free, the museum is worth checking out multiple times a year.

Entry to the museum is free and that is a blessing! The museum contained (July 2018) art from Europe, Africa, and Asia and I liked that variety. The museum is very clean and that felt good. The museum was quiet and that enhanced the experience of viewing and feeling the art. Nearby parking consists of paid street meters, which may or may not be available. There is a paid city parking structure a bit to the north and west on Maynard. Anyway, a good U of Michigan art museum for free (located across from the Michigan Union.

Perhaps not the most in-depth collections but definitely a nice smattering of art from different eras and locations across the globe. ART COLLECTIONS: There is a fairly small collection of about 30-some modern art pieces that span small sculpture, paintings, and drawings. Mostly lesser-known works from bigger-name artists. I've found their contemporary rotating exhibits to be the most interesting and surprising. There are three galleries/rooms that contain these as far as I can tell: 1) in the old building, smaller exhibits in a small room next to the entrance and behind the desk to the left 2) On the second floor of the old building 3) on the first floor of the new building next to the cafe (student work). Because these are rotating, often they are closed in between exhibitions for what seems like long periods of time. This mildly vexes me. Then they have East Asiatic work and many masks and ritual objects from other areas of the world (forgive me for the lack of specifics, here). Great textures and interesting histories and uses for sure. In other words, you don't feel as though you wasted your time reading the adjacent information plaque. Also there is a room full of Catholic/Christian historical art and artifacts (my ex would slaughter me for not knowing the period or the correct name of this - never was good with history!). THINGS ABOUT THE BUILDING: The new extension of the gallery is surprisingly welcoming inside, even with all its glass and severe architectural lines. I do tend to get a little disoriented if I enter from that side, though. You can always see where you want to end up but you're never sure quite how to get there! And good luck finding the bathroom - the only two women's I've found are in the basement of the old building and on the third floor of the addition. There is a coat room where you can leave your belongings though it is not directly attended. No beverages allowed so stash 'em in the coat room. Photography is allowed in some areas and not in others (particularly the contemporary stuff). There aren't swarms of visitors here and the place keeps nice and quiet. For what it is and where it is, I approve. It's no MOMA but it ain't no hick-town museum either.

The University of Michigan Museum has some really great art exhibits! Granted, it doesn't have a huge collection, but there is quite a bit of diversity. When we were there we were fortunate enough to catch the Doris Duke/Shangri La exhibit, which in my opinion was fascinating! I never really even knew about this wealthy woman's palace in Hawaii until visiting this exhibit. Her Islamic art collection is beautiful! The UMM also has other fascinating exhibits from around the world, to include Chinese, Japanese, Turkish and African art. Furthermore, there's a reasonable amount of modern art on display as well. The gift shop has some really interesting things from local artists for sale, including pottery and glass ware. If you're in the area and you're into art, this little museum is definitely worth a visit.

It had been several years since my last visit to the University of Michigan Museum of Art...and what a difference those years have made. What used to be a smallish, lightly staffed & interpreted collection of art has, in my opinion, made the leap into being an excellent museum and learning center. The highlights for me: -The shadow-controled map/computer table. This thing is amazing. It made me feel like I was in Star Wars. -The modern art collection--with exception of the "Absolom" canvas...which is ridiculous. -The African art section. Weaknesses: -I was underwhelmed by the Chinese section..which is usually the highlight of most museums for me. -The Whistler exhibit bored the crap out of me. But I think the blame for this one falls on Whistler, not the museum. If you have not been to UMMA (or been there recently), it is worth a visit.

Had a relaxing afternoon checking out contemporary, classic, and ethnic art in a gallery that was multi-faceted and roomy. There aren't any interactive exhibits but there's lots to see. Donation based w/ a small gift shop on lower level.

So its an art museum, its all good. It is a smaller museum, spread out, very diverse with good sized Asian and African wings. 4-5 Picasso - I like the Bullfight - and a Louise Nevelson. They have mixed the contemporary with the Modern Art on the third floor . A couple of rooms on the classics, on the ground floor. A smaller American wing, including a nice Whistler, but no real focus on Michigan (especially some of the local tile/pottery) artisans specifically or on American art in general. A nice offering of Tiffany glass and some Frank Lloyd Wright windows as well as modern household design items (think chairs). I think their focus is bring in new material, as there was a rather large gallery dedicated to exhibitions or events, which can be a draw if you are interested in the material. But overall a nice 60-90 minute stroll. I would think parking would be challenging during the time when students are going to class and taking up the parking spaces. But we had no problems on a weekend finding something close.

This is one of Ann Arbor's hidden gems. There is a great collection of traditional and contemporary art. There are several classic works including "The Boy Lincoln" by Johnson as well as other early American classics. I prefer my art to be kept separate from politics. This is where UMMA crosses the line sometimes. They tend to force a political narrative in the plaques explaining many of the classic pieces. Let the observer draw their own conclusions.

Really nice museum and very clean but doesn't have much going on there. I wish there was more color and also more events going on here.

I came to see the toy truck installation but somehow I missed it. It didn't matter, there's plenty of great pieces to check out here. It's not a huge museum but it's definitely a nice place to lose yourself for a few hours. The Japanese art and the Korean art was some of the most interesting IMO. I also appreciate that admission is free and the museum is on campus so you can walk around the diag while you enjoy a snack before you head inside...no food or beverages in the art museum. Definitely worth a looksee if you're in the area.

If you're worried that it won't hold up to the museums you visited in Europe or on the coasts, stay away--it won't hold up! But the museum is still a great assett for Ann Arbor. You can see a few big-name pieces, including a Picasso, a Monet, and a Whistler, but don't go for those. Most people find one or two favorite-but-obscure pieces and the rotating exhibitions on the second floor will keep you coming back occasionally. I've always liked the medieval art in the gallery at the northwest corner of the building, so it will be interesting to see what has happened there once that huge new wing is completed. Admission is free, but you can leave a donation in a box near the front door if you choose.

What? Are we in Ann Arbor? I thought all they spent their money on was beer, cozy houses and sports facilities? This was quite the surprise. First of all, it is free. Second, my partner and I spent a SOLID three hours viewing the collections and exhibits. I am not one to loaf around museums and if they don't grab me in the first hour it is a lost cause. Granted the collections are a bit piece-meal, of course, but the Chinese Block Print exhibit was extremely prolific and extensive. All you haters should go to any other non-ivy league school's "museums". Oh wait they probably don't even have one. Only critique I have is the new building is a bit difficult to navigate.

The other day,I returned to the University of Michigan Art Museum.It has a fine amalgam of Art.I appreciate the beautiful interior architecture in this building.I especially enjoyed their 20th Century Paintings by Pablo Picasso("2 Girls Reading"),Auguste Herbin,American Romaire Beardon,and Max Beckmann("Beguin The Begin").Other highlights at this relatively small art museum were Jacopo Dei Casentino's"Enthroned Madonna With Angels and Saints Louis of Toulouse,Zenobius,John the Evangelist,and John the Baptist"(the paraon of Italian Trecento Florentine Painting),Sano di Pietro's"Birth of the Virgin",Jan Van Hemessen's"Parable of Unforgiving Servant"(quality Mannerism),Benjamin Constant's"Courtyard In Sultan's Palace"(fine Orientalism).,Stanislaus Lepine's"Port D'Estacade",Claude Monet's"Break Up of Ice",Pablo Picasso's"2 Girls Reading",and Max Beckmann's"Beguin The Begin"(fine German Expressionism.I also relished fine Contemporary works of Art by Titus Kaphar("Flay,James Madison),Bjarne Metgaard,and Mary Sibande.This art museum is free,however your donations help improve this quality art museum.

I'm not necessarily an art guru - nor do I frequent a ton of events, centers, etc. I have to say though - UofM has a great facility and collection to visit. It quickly caught my attention once inside and I found myself enjoying the art collection and the overall environment. Call it a pleasant surprise. It has me thinking I may want to check out some similar gallery's / centers in the region - sometime in the future. Doing something different for a change is not always a bad thing. Thumbs up.

I visited this art gallery today,wonderful art works of history, I came across a portrait of Martha Washington, painted in oil on canvas , and seen a oil painting of the organ trail, and catholic oil paintings of blessed Mary and child a lot of oil paintings of early Rome of the Venice and other historical oil paintings of history by famous painters and sculptors.

The couple times I've come here, I've really enjoyed myself. I particularly like that they have it broken down into collections from different cultures. The Asian section is especially nice. They also have temporary exhibits which tend to be really high quality. I was fortunate enough to have caught the Rodin exhibit, which was outstanding, a few years ago. You can spend hours and hours walking through here and checking the various permanent exhibits out. One of the last times I visited, I had a really nice time walking through it with a female friend and then going out to the Tk Wu Chinese restaurant which was just a few minutes walk away.

I think this is one of the highlights of the University campus, and it was a highlight of my student years in Ann Arbor. I used to come here a lot as a student to check out exhibits and special events. I went here for a play (that my friend was in), and that was an amazing experience. I couldn't think of a better venue for the play. I also attended a music social night (kind of like an "after hours at the museum" event). That was another memorable experience. The museum was great for dates and great for meeting up with a group too. More than anything though, when I needed a quiet place to just think about things or relax this is where I'd go. The collection is by no means as impressive as another (somewhat) close, world class museum like the Detroit Institute of Arts (the DIA). However, the University of Michigan Museum of Art (the UMMA) has a warmer and more personal feeling. Like the DIA, the selection of rotating or touring exhibits that I've seen at the UMMA have been very educational and enriching. There are also plenty of impressive permanent pieces here too that give a good ntroduction to the diversity of world art. By far, the most wonderful part of this museum though are the docents. They will answer all of your questions and share their wisdom with you in a kind manner. If you are a visitor to Ann Arbor, I encourage you to check out this wonderful museum. I'll have to go back there soon.

The best part is it's free, if you want it to be. The second best part is the new building, which puts the old, rundown building to shame. (It was sad to see, with its cracked and shifty floors, just how much the original museum building has degraded in just a few years.) I used to love the old place, though. It was intimate, and I always experienced some little bit of enlightenment there. I always felt a connection with whatever exhibit was on display. Now, though, not so much. Maybe I was just in the wrong mindset when I went, but I didn't see anything outstanding. Nothing made me feel anything or spoke to me. Except the new building... It really is nice and worth a look. I will go back eventually, in hopes of having my eyes opened again.

This was by far, the highlight of my 2006 trip I took to Ann Arbor. I was overwhelmed at how good of an art museum this was, for the size of Ann Arbor. Almost as good as Milwaukee's art museum, too. Can't wait to make a return trip to this museum too, once the expansion wing is complete, and they return to operating out of their regular location again, as I see from their website that they're operating outta a temporary exhibition location(whatever that means, as I presume not all of the museum's collection would be viewable in their temporary location).

This is a really neat and pristine place to be at. The admissions are donation based and open to the public. They have rotating exhibitions which is very nice. I also thought that the building it was in was intriguing.. A very nice alternative to doing nothing at home.

Really excellent museum, especially considering the free (donation based) admission. All of the rotating exhibits that were going on when I went (Shangri La, and some experimental pieces) were excellent, as were their permanent collections. They have a few big ticket artists, but all the other, lesser known pieces are far more interesting. Great way to spend an afternoon.

Good thing it's free. They couldn't pay me to come back. I walk in with a water bottle on a hot August day. I'm greeted by Barney Fife telling me "Sir I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Obviously they need someone to greet people other than a socially inept Rent-A-Cop.

The UMMA underwent a major renovation and expansion early last year (celebrating with a 24-hour reopening party-which was packed when we dropped in around 11 p.m. that evening March 2009). The $41.9 million expansion kept the museum largely closed for almost two years, but the expansion joined the original 41,000-square-foot 1910-vintage Beaux Arts style building with a new 53,000-square-foot modern-style wing. The two parts meld seamlessly into each other, and the fact that the UMMA more than doubled in size means visitors see a lot more of the collection at any given time. My favorite parts of the museum include the expanded display of Tiffany architectural artifacts in display and the open study-storage galleries (glass cases containing an eclectic group of things surrounding several interactive computer stations where you can click on a virtual cabinet to learn more about a particular item--or just chill in the cool Herman Miller Aeron chairs). Our most recent visit was for a special exhibit of photography and Impressionist paintings of scenes along France's Normandy Coast. Scored the $80 show catalog book for $20 in the museum gift shop because it was the last day of the show! Admission is free, although there are numerous drop boxes stationed around the museum so you can throw a couple of bucks into them.

I love the new addition, however the old addition still seems boring to me. I love the temporary exhibit gallery! It was a great idea to have it on the first level surrounded by glass. Even better then the exhibits are the events they have. Although these events are geared more to University students. The museum's intended audience are students. So if you want to bring your kids, they might not find it very exciting.

Hit up the UMMA last night for a 9:30 showing of a documentary (Herb & Dorothy, which I also recommend, FYI). You can't beat their little-ish viewing room for a comfortable, quiet FREE movie. Ok, I think technically they suggest a donation, but if you're broke, like I am at the moment, you'll really appreciate the UMMA. Only wish we had made it earlier in the day so we could have explored the newly renovated museum.

This museum is great if you like art and are in town! The admission is donation based and it is quite large for a University art museum. There were a few works by big name artists like Picasso etc. and they have a fantastic collection of Tiffany glass and vases. Their current exhibit by Tomaselli of New York Times covers with his additions to the covers is definitely worth seeing, especially if you are a news buff. If you are comparing this to museums in Chicago (ex. Art Institute) or New York (MoMA, Met, etc.) then you will be a little disappointed but compared to most other museums, especially free museums, it stands out and is worth checking out!

What a pity they had to close it for so long to redo it all. I miss it.