Yale Center for British Art

I recommend visiting at least once to form your own opinion and find fresh perspectives. The staff is very warm and inviting. The Melon Gallery was my favorite. I'd love to learn more about his seeming fascination with animals, particularly horses. Because the galleries aim to share with the public as many paintings as possible from his collection, there are no descriptions. The Yale Art Gallery did more for me overall than the British Art Gallery. Unlike the Met in New York, they close the viewing areas 15 minutes before the restrooms to give visitors time to get organized before leaving. Very well thought out.

I've always loved this museum and it's still great! Only downside is the long "gallery" on the fourth floor where the walls are so covered in paintings it's really overwhelmed and feels more like a storage area than a permanent gallery. Still love the museum though!

We had a little trouble finding this museum since signage was lacking on the front of the building. We went on a weekday and this museum was pretty empty. Free admittance and free lockers are provided in the basement for our big purses, coats, and water bottles. We took their recommendation and started at the top on the 4th floor and made our way down. There are a lot of paintings so it took us awhile and we ran out of time. The museum closes at 5pm and we were only there for 90 mins.

Seems like a comprehensive collection. Lacking contemporary works, but the ground floor exhibition was in the middle of being installed, so maybe that’s what happened there. In the basement there are handicap bathrooms and lockers for your large bags.

A nearly sublime museum experience, lovingly restored. The collection of art may or may not be to your taste, tho there are some standout works from Stubbs, Reynolds, van Dyck, Bacon, and above all the magnificent Turner holdings. The real star is the the Kahn building itself, however, all blonde oak and fine concrete, travertine and pale linen walls, spongy carpet and mod seating, the magnificent concrete cylinder containing the stairwell (skip the slow clunky elevator). The new skylights are a major improvement, and the whole place is wonderful for people watching along with enjoyment of the art. The shops along the Chapel Street facade are a nice touch although the exterior steel panels are still (to me) absolutely dreadful. I don’t buy the argument that it’s a background building—it’s just ugly. No matter, still a treat to walk through, under and up around in Kahn’s last masterpiece. Don’t miss it.

Right across the street from the Yale University Art Gallery, It’s the perfect next stop to complete your art-filled day. Free admission, a lovely atmosphere and super friendly staff. I really enjoyed my visit!

A solid, if somewhat thin, collection though the building is interesting. The study gallery is fascinating and highly recommended. Temporary installations strive for "relevance" though often fall short. Maybe that is through no fault of their own but because of the place of contemporary art in contemporary culture today...that is gonna be what it sorta is... The gift shop--which was excellent--is closed permanently, the former space being given over to "community engagement" activities: " 'Tis pity She's no more... "

YCBA houses the largest collection of British art outside of the United Kingdom. Designed by the architect Louis I. Kahn (1901-1074) and opened in 1977, this building now serves as a space to present Yale University's British Art collection to the public. 4F is for the museum's permanent collection, while 2F and 3F hosts temporary exhibitions.