Sheldon Museum of Art
4.6(487)google
4.3(18)yelp
ArtEducationalIndoor
Overview
The Sheldon Museum of Art (formerly the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery) is an art museum on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska. The museum was established in 1963 when the university's art collection was moved to dedicated building at 451 North 12th Street. The building, designed by architect Philip Johnson and funded by siblings Mary Frances and Adams Bromley Sheldon, is made of Italian travertine, featuring a grand hall and distinctive central staircase.
Practical Info
MonClosed
Tue10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun12:00 – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeA year-round treat for art lovers. Visiting between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on a Saturday in April or October is perfect; sunlight streams through the cathedral windows of this Philip Johnson-designed travertine masterpiece, illuminating the modernist galleries inside.
Getting ThereLocated at 12th and R Streets on the UNL City Campus. Drivers should park at the nearby 12th & Q public parking garage, then walk two blocks north past the campus gates. StarTran bus routes 24, 25, and 42 stop regularly along the perimeter of R Street.
Travel Tips
- Admission is completely free, but all liquids and outside food are barred; single straps or backpacks exceeding 11x15 inches must be stored in entry-level lockers.
- The Philip Johnson-designed sculpture garden heats severely under the summer sun; exterior marble and bronze surfaces reach 140°F, posing immediate contact burn risks.
- Closed every Monday; university enforcement aggressively tows unpermitted vehicles from campus spaces, leaving the 12th & R Street public garage as the premier option.
Reviews
Positive
- A travertine Italian marble temple designed by master architect Philip Johnson; the grand architectural exterior itself delivers immense visual impact.
- As a top-tier university art gallery, it houses stunning original masterpieces by American modern masters like Andy Warhol and Mark Rothko.
- Crowd management is close to absolute perfection; galleries are airy, quiet, and elegant with poetic lighting, offering a distraction-free aesthetic vibe.
- Completely free to the public, paired with a massive outdoor international sculpture garden, rendering flawless value and artistic core value.
Heads up
- Sited deep in the UNL campus, nearby spots require university permits; regular self-driving tourists must park blocks away at meters and walk.
- Leaning heavily toward hard-core modernism and abstract art, many masterpieces lack easy plain-language explanations, creating a high barrier for casual guests.
- To protect rare canvases, the indoor climate control is kept chillingly cold year-round; walking in short sleeves during summer leaves you freezing.
- Because the space is solemnly strict, it is less friendly for families with lively toddlers; a loud voice or crossing an infrared line brings security.