Experience the Beauty of Art at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts
About the UMFA:
The Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) at the University of Utah is the best destination for global visual arts in Salt Lake City. From the array of ancient objects to the most recent contemporary art pieces, the UMFA galleries showcase a wide variety of human history and creativity.
This arts museum in salt lake city has a collection of nearly 20,000 original works of art, and has the most dynamic collection in the region. It is a must see!
What’s in it for you? A wake-up call to history, and a new fresh take on the world through current, future, and past exhibitions. UMFA hosts talks and panel discussions by renowned artists, gallery tours, art making, and so many other creative activities suited for families and adults.
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Where, when, who?
Hours of operation:
The Utah Museum of Fine arts museum in salt lake city that is open six days a week and is located on the beautiful University of Utah campus. The arts museum in salt lake city is closed on Monday, but open Tuesday- Sunday.
Hours of operation vary from 10am-8pm on Wednesday, to 10am-5pm on Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday. Check out their website for the various closure dates here.
Visit the Utah museum of fine arts in salt lake city at 410 Campus Center Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, or call them at (801) 581-7332.
Parking:
Wait!! Before you jump in your car to visit the best arts museum in salt lake city, there is one thing that you must know before going…
There are free and pay parking is available for weekday visits to the museum, and campus parking is free on weekends (except in specified and reserved stalls). Look for signs like the one on the left!
For more information about free parking and paid parking, make sure to visit the UMFA website here!
Important note: Parking may be limited on Saturdays during the fall semester (starting in August), when the University of Utah hosts football games at the Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Other options for visiting:
TRAX: The UMFA is easily accessed by TRAX. They are located within a five-minute walk northwest of the University South Campus stop on the University (Red) line.
Bus: The UMFA is easily accessed by the following UTA bus routes: 9, 17, 213, 223, 228, 313, 354, 455, and 473.
Exhibits:
There’s a reason why UMFA is one of the most popular arts museum in salt lake city. The UMFA exhibits give visitors fresh perspectives on European, Pacific, Mesoamerican, Ancient Mediterranean, and American and regional art. There are also newly dedicated galleries for Japanese, African, and Chinese objects, and the latest modern and contemporary art.
Here are some of their most popular exhibits:
Modern and Contemporary: Art Post 1945
Stop! Before you venture out to explore the amazing modern and contemporary collection at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, here’s everything you need to know to make your visit truly memorable:
The current installation delves into broad themes such as abstraction, conceptual art, and racial and gender inequities in Utah and across the U.S. Covering the last 75 years, the exhibition showcases a diverse range of artistic practices without adhering to a single narrative.
The collection encompasses various media – including painting, sculpture, video, mixed media, and more – focusing on post-World War II art to the present.
It supports the study of canonical art history while also acknowledging marginalized practices, providing a comprehensive understanding of modern and contemporary art.
East Asian Art
Don’t leave just yet! Before you leave the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, explore the stunning East Asian ceramics. Here’s what you need to know:
Emulation and Innovation showcases nearly 4,000 years of Chinese ceramic tradition, where ancient techniques meet contemporary artistry. Discover Minqi-spiritual objects, like a fascinating fourth-century Spirit urn, and marvel at the “Treasure Cabinet,” which displays exquisite porcelain crafted for the Imperial household, including an 18th-century vase adorned with bats and clouds.
Thanks to the generous donations from Bert R. Clift Jr. and others, UMFA’s Chinese ceramic collection has flourished.
Accessibility:
The UMFA is an ADA accessible building; inclusivity is their cornerstone. They are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where individuals of every ability, age, background, and resource level can engage in meaningful dialogue and enrich their experiences.
Wheelchairs and Strollers:
All galleries, museum store, museum café, and the auditorium are wheelchair and stroller accessible. There are two public elevators in the Museum—one located in the lobby and another in the southeast corner of the Museum.
For Visitors who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing:
The UMFA offer a thoughtful range of accessibility services to enhance your visit:
For programs in their auditorium, a limited number of assistive listening devices are available. Please contact their accessibility coordinator to arrange sign language interpretation for museum activities. Transcripts for every audio segment are also accessible here.
For Visitors who are Blind or Visually Impaired:
They are dedicated to making your UMFA experience as inclusive and welcoming as possible:
You can also download the Aira app for free visual interpretation services throughout the museum. Check out more about Aira on their website at aira.io and get the app!
Tours are also available! To arrange a tour, reach out to their accessibility coordinator at 801.585.7163 and enjoy their free audio guide, accessible here!
Service Animals:
UMFA warmly welcomes visitors with service animals! For more details, please reach out
to their accessibility coordinator at 801.585.7163.
Map Guide:
Let their map guide you through your museum visit! Access their visitor guide for more details here.
Admission:
At the UMFA admission does vary for the age of visitors.
- Adults | $17.95
- Seniors (ages 65+) | $14.95
- Youth (ages 6–18) | $14.95
- Children (ages 0–5) | $0
UMFA members | Admission included with membership with additional benefits with each level
- Individual membership | $52
- Dual membership | $73
- Charitable memberships | from $158 – $2500
While yes, you do have to pay to see the wonders of the UMFA, there are some exceptions! Free admission for: U of U students, staff, and faculty (with university ID) and students at public Utah universities (with student ID).
Upcoming Events:
The UMFA offers a range of events extending beyond the museum walls and into the wilderness. Join and you can learn about different styles of art from a variety of artists and put your skills to the test!
- Paint watercolor landscapes with UMFA at the Chapman Library on Tuesday, July 23rd | 11am – 12pm | Free
- Join UMFA at the Wasatch Mountain State Park Visitor Center to paint watercolor landscapes on Saturday, August 3rd | 11am | Free
- Create and learn about cyanotype sun prints with UMFA at Willard Bay State Park on Saturday, August 10th | 2 – 4 pm | Free
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