Dallas Museum of Art – A Must-Visit for Museum Lovers 

 

With a collection of over 24,000 pieces and covering 159,000 square feet (14,800 m), the Dallas Museum of Art is among the largest art museums in the country. As such, the DMA attracts a diverse audience, which includes school groups and tourists alike.

The Dallas Museum of Art exhibits almost every conceivable medium, ranging from painting to sculpture, and spanning from ancient to postmodern times. Some of the works here date back 5,000 years. The museum houses a diverse range of artworks, including classical, Latin American, European, Far Eastern, and many more, making it easy to get lost exploring the thousands of pieces on offer.

And – the entry to the museum is free! Visitors will have to get the tickets though and are encouraged to reserve tickets online in advance, but walk-ups are also able to be accommodated.

History:

Located in downtown Dallas, Texas, along Woodall Rodgers Freeway between St. Paul and Harwood, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is situated in the heart of the Arts District. In the 1970s, the museum relocated from its former site in Fair Park to its current location.

The impressive building, designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes and John MY Lee Associates, was awarded the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 2007. The construction of the building took place in stages over a decade. Its educational programs and exhibition policy are highly regarded. The Mildred R. and Frederick M. Mayer Library, the museum’s non-circulating research library, has over 50,000 volumes available to both curators and the public.

Exhibits:

The collection at DMA spans from the third millennium BC to the present day, showcasing a dynamic range of artistic expressions. The vast collection spans continents, mediums, and centuries. African, Asian, American, European, Mediterranean, contemporary – you will find it all here. The rich collection features everything from the paintings of Renoir to the crafts of the indigenous Hopi tribes. The museum does have a particular strength in 19th and 20th-century European art though, as well as decorative arts and design.

The museum showcases masterpieces from acclaimed artists such as Pollock, Rothko, Monet, Rodin, Picasso, and many others.

Temporary Exhibits:

In addition, the museum hosts regular rotating and traveling exhibitions that concentrate on specific subjects. The temporary exhibitions showcased at the museum vary from contemporary site-specific installations to curated displays featuring works from the museum’s collection, such as a recent exhibit that presented works on paper dating from the 15th century through to the present day.

Other Attractions:

Apart from the galleries, the museum also houses a children’s creative zone, a sculpture garden, and a café that boasts a window featuring Dale Chihuly’s mesmerizing glass flowers.

Guided Tours:

Gallery talks and tours led by docents are available. While they are informative and enlightening, visitors who are tech-savvy can enhance their experience by engaging with the hours of museum commentary that are accessible through the DMA’s smartphone app.

 Is the café at the museum worth a stop?

While the museum features a casual café, its sister restaurant, Socca, stands out with its al fresco dining experience and a menu centered around socca, a savory crepe made from chickpeas.

What visitors had to say about their trip to the museum:

Fred T. says, “This made my experience in Dallas, for sure! They have amazing galleries with gorgeous art on display. They have a wide variety of art so you could easily spend half the day viewing it. The staff was very helpful with navigation and was great with reminding guests not to get too close to the art. I myself really enjoyed the modern contemporary art. Overall beautiful art museum.”

Reevemama says, “Loved the varied art experience at Dallas Museum of Art. A little bit of everything with nice open galleries and great light. We appreciated it so much that the museum was free thus making it accessible to all! Bravo Dallas Museum of Art!”

Ticket:

General admission is free with a ticket and includes viewing the Museum’s collection galleries and most exhibitions.

HOURS:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.