Cities/Baltimore/Baltimore Museum of Art

Baltimore Museum of Art

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Free(General admission to collection galleries is free; specific special exhibitions may require paid tickets)

ArtmuseumEducationalIndoorGuided TourMust-See

Overview

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is an art museum in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1914, the BMA's collection of 95,000 objects encompasses more than 1,000 works by Henri Matisse anchored by the Cone Collection of modern art, as well as one of the nation's finest holdings of prints, drawings, and photographs. The galleries currently showcase collections of art from Africa; works by established and emerging contemporary artists; European and American paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts; ancient Antioch mosaics; art from Asia, and textiles from around the world.

Practical Info

10 Art Museum Dr, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA

MonClosed

TueClosed

Wed10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thu10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Fri10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sat10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Suggested Duration2-3.5 hours

Best TimeAccessible year-round with free general admission. The ideal timeframe is late spring (May to June) because it allows you to beautifully pair the museum's world-class Matisse collection inside with a stroll through the lush, outdoor sculpture gardens under the soft early afternoon sun.

Getting ThereLocated adjacent to the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus. From downtown Baltimore, ride the free Charm City Circulator (Purple Route) north to the Charles St & 31st St intersection, then simply walk one block west to the museum's grand columns.

(443) 573-1700

artbma.org/

Travel Tips

General admission is free but the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; backpacks, umbrellas, and selfie sticks are banned in galleries and must be checked at the lobby.

Photo Tips

Best Light10:00 AM to 11:30 AM is ideal for the outdoor Sculpture Gardens; morning sunlight piercing the heavy tree canopy provides dramatic contrast on the contemporary bronze works.

Photo Rules

The world-renowned Matisse galleries use low conservation lighting; camera flash photography and professional tripods are strictly prohibited by security staff.

Reviews

Positive

Houses the world's largest collection of works by Henri Matisse, making it an absolute must-see and a visual masterpiece for modern art lovers.
Incredibly generous free general admission, allowing everyone to view world-class masterpieces by Picasso and Warhol without spending a dime.
The gallery spaces are beautifully lit and organized, complemented by two wonderful outdoor sculpture gardens that offer a serene strolling experience.
Located in a lovely neighborhood near JHU; features a highly creative gift shop and the acclaimed Gertrude's restaurant on-site for a refined dining experience.

Heads up

The museum's dedicated parking lot is expensive and small, forcing visitors to hunt for confusing and strictly timed street meters around the campus.
The layout and layout flow between the historic and modern wings can be confusing and maze-like, with inadequate clear signage to guide you.
Certain contemporary galleries are narrow and cramped, creating high crowd density and long bottlenecks during busy weekend afternoon hours.
Due to artifact preservation requirements, the air conditioning in several wings is kept brutally freezing, requiring visitors to bring a jacket even in July.