Art Museums in Austin

Any recommendations from the local Austin folks?

I looked on Google, but I'm wanting some personal opinions.

Depends on your tastes.
The Bullock Museum near UT does a good job re The Story of Texas. If you are into WWII history, go to Fredericksberg, TX for the National Museum of the Pacific War. It is a good day trip and you can spend several hours at the museum and couple it with a nearby winery tour/picnic.

For art museums:

http://www.austinmuseums.org/

The Blanton and the Harry Ransom center are the big ones on that list. A few of the others museums are not very "arty" or very good.

There's also the Austin Museum of Art.

http://amoa-arthouse.org/

Quite a few galleries on west 6th street.

Texas Natural Science Center

Texas Memorial Museum

LBJ Library

Austin Nature Center

Were All Fieldtrips You Took Growing

Up In Austin, And Going To AISD.

Haven't Been In Years Since Myself,

And My Children Were In School.


I Know That These Aren't "Art Museums",

But All Have Interesting Exhibits

None The Less

the harry ransom museum on the u.t. campus is cool and the admission is free.

http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/

I love the Blanton, and the exhibits change often enough that 3-4 visits a year are needed to keep up with the new art brought in.

I love the Blanton too. This is one of my favorite exhibits!!!

Ya have to go check out the Museum of Weird on 6th too! It's not exactly a Museum, but it is weird and definitely one of Austin's little gems

grayduck Gallery 608 W. Monroe. Small south austin studio, that often features local talent. A very nice young woman named Jill owns the place and she will discuss the exhibits, give you background, etc. Small but fun.
They had an exhibit last summer of sexy women whose lipstick looked like dripping blood. It was both morbid and hot at the same time. Very erotic

All are very good recommendations, but one very famous (outside of Austin) museum that is oft overlooked is the Umalof Sculpture Gardens.

OMG what a talent he was. I was fortunate to have the pleasure of meeting Charles Umalof prior to his death and was fascinated by his narrative of his life and his work. The Umalof Sculpture Gardens are a must see in Austin.

Spacemtn
AustinModStaff

This museum looks amazing! I would love to go in the fall, just when you can feel the tempatures change. Looking at their website it reminded me of one of my favorite museums, although not in Austin....or Texas. The Hakone Open Air Art Museum, in Japan. I'll never forget the feeling of walking with the green trees, and the salty sea air, while looking at these amazing pieces.


http://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/english/collection.html

All are very good recommendations, but one very famous (outside of Austin) museum that is oft overlooked is the Umalof Sculpture Gardens.

OMG what a talent he was. I was fortunate to have the pleasure of meeting Charles Umalof prior to his death and was fascinated by his narrative of his life and his work. The Umalof Sculpture Gardens are a must see in Austin.

Spacemtn
AustinModStaff Originally Posted by Spacemtn

I have passed by it and never gave it a second thought. I must go see it now!

Yes, the Blanton is world class, Umlauf is great and there is also the UT Natural History museum if you are into that rather as well as fine art. If you love the Blanton you should go to Ft. Worth to see the world class museums that oil money bought. They are spectacular

I was lucky. My family took me to all the museums in that area over the summers growing up.

Check out Laguna Gloria and Mayfield Park (next door)