The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) is a premier cultural institution located in the heart of Houston's Museum District. Established in 1900, it stands as the oldest art museum in Texas and ranks among the ten largest art museums in the United States.

The MFAH boasts an extensive and diverse collection of nearly 80,000 works of art spanning over 5,000 years of history. Its holdings encompass a wide range of cultures and periods, including Italian Renaissance paintings, French Impressionism, American and European decorative arts, African and pre-Columbian gold, and post-1945 European and American painting and sculpture.

The museum's commitment to diversity is evident in its growing collections of modern and contemporary Latin American art, Asian art, and Islamic art.

Main Campus Facilities

The museum's main campus, known as the Susan and Fayez S. Sarofim Campus, spans 14 acres and includes several notable facilities:

• Caroline Wiess Law Building: This neo-classical building houses galleries for changing exhibitions and collections of Asian, African, Islamic, Indigenous Americas, Pacific Islands, and Australian art.
• Audrey Jones Beck Building: Dedicated to the display of ancient art, European art, photography, prints and drawings, and American art up to the mid-20th century.
• Nancy and Rich Kinder Building: Opened in 2020, this building is devoted to the museum's international collections of modern and contemporary art.
• Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden: Designed by artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi, this tranquil garden features over 25 sculptures by artists such as Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, and Louise Bourgeois.
• Glassell School of Art: A dynamic art community offering classes and workshops for students of all ages and experiences.

House Museums

In addition to its main campus, the MFAH operates two house museums:

• Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens: Located on 14 acres in Houston's historic River Oaks neighborhood, this museum showcases American decorative arts and paintings.
• Rienzi: Situated in the River Oaks neighborhood, Rienzi presents European decorative arts within a historic home setting.

Community Engagement and Access

The MFAH is committed to accessibility and community engagement. It offers extended hours on Fridays, providing more opportunities for visitors to experience its collections.

Admission is free on Thursdays for the permanent collections, while special exhibitions require a separate ticket.

Dining

The museum features Café Leonelli, known for its freshly prepared salads and lemon curd tart, offering a delightful culinary experience for visitors.

Notable Exhibitions

The MFAH continues to host exclusive exhibitions, such as "Gauguin in the World", featuring over 150 works by the post-impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It is the only U.S. venue for this exhibition.

Location

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is located in Houston, TX, USA.