Where to Find Art in the Midwestern United States
To many, the Midwest is simply where cows, corn and potatoes come from. Little do they know that the Midwest is home to some of the most beautiful museums and galleries. Here’s a list of the best places to find art in the Midwest.
Walker Art Center: Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Walker Art Center was founded more than 125 years ago when a Minneapolis man decided to build an extra room onto his home to house his favorite paintings. He allowed entry to anyone who wanted to see his collection. Today the Walker Art Center is one of the most visited modern art galleries in the United States with over 700,000 visitors a year.
Des Moines Art Center: Des Moines, Iowa
The Des Moines Art Center is a not for profit gallery housing more than 5,000 works of art ranging from 21st Century Modern to 18th Century Japanese woodblock prints. The gallery hosts numerous traveling exhibitions each year as well, so there is always something new and fresh to see.
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art: Indianapolis, Indiana
Located in downtown Indianapolis, the Eiteljorg Museum aims to educate and develop an appreciation for the art of the indigenous Americans and those settlers making their way to the west. The Eiteljorg has a lot more to offer than an art history lesson. With artists such as Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keefe displayed in their permanent collection, this museum is bound to appeal to every artistic taste.
The Art Institute of Chicago: Chicago, Illinois
Let us not forget that Chicago is a cultural mecca and yes, it’s snuggled right into the heart of the Midwest. The Art Institute of Chicago was founded to be both a museum and school for the fine arts in 1879. Today, their permanent collection is home to almost 300,000 works spanning every era and genre and the school is recognized as one of the leading art schools in the United States.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Kansas City, Missouri
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a jewel of art history nestled in the heart of Kansas City. The museum is free to attend and houses more than 35,000 works of art. With more than 500,000 visitors a year, the Nelson-Atkins brings art and history to the Heart of America.
Detroit Institute of Arts Museum: Detroit, Michigan
Founded in 1885, the Detroit Institute of Arts spans 658,000 square feet and includes more than 100 galleries, an auditorium, and a lecture hall. The collection housed at the Detroit Institute of Art is among the top 6 in the United States and is renowned for its diversity. With significant works from America, Europe, Africa, and Asia to name a few, this collection presents a multinational art experience.
Cleveland Museum of Art: Cleveland, Ohio
The Cleveland Museum of Art opened in 1916 with the hope that it would benefit all people forever. 100 years later the museum has a collection with nearly 45,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years. In an effort to maintain their mission of benefiting all people forever, the Cleveland Museum of Art offers free admission through the generous support of individuals, foundations, businesses, and state funding.
The Midwest has a lot of artistic and cultural value to offer and these galleries are just the tip of the iceberg. Nearly every major city in the region has an art museum as well as smaller galleries featuring local artists and sculptures. During the summer, art festivals are in abundance and is a great way to get amazing art for your collection directly from the artists themselves. From the corn fields to the western plains, art in the Midwest is everywhere.