Attention, young international students! Are you ready to embark on a cultural odyssey that will leave you awestruck, inspired, and perhaps a tad dizzy from all the jaw-dropping art? Well, buckle up and get ready to explore the largest art museums in the United States!
Picture this: you’re strolling through the hallowed halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, casually bumping into ancient Egyptian mummies, medieval knights, and Impressionist masterpieces.
These museums are not just a feast for the eyes but also a crash course in American history and culture. By immersing yourself in the art world, you’ll gain a newfound appreciation for the diverse tapestry of experiences and perspectives that make up the United States.
So, whether you’re joining us on a J1 cultural exchange program or venturing out on your own, make sure to add these art museums to your bucket list. Trust us, you won’t regret it (unless you accidentally knock over a priceless sculpture, but let’s not dwell on that). Get ready to unleash your inner art aficionado and discover the magic that awaits you in the largest art museums in the US!
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)—New York, NY: The MOMA is considered by many to be the most influential museum of modern art in the world. It includes many different types of art, including works of design and architecture, sculpture, photography, illustrated books and displays, film and electronic media.
Seattle Art Museum (SAM)—Seattle, WA: SAM features the work of contemporary artists from the Northwestern region of the U.S. Currently the collection consists of approximately 23,000 objects.
Museum of Fine Art (MFA)—Boston, MA: The MFA attracts over a million visitors per year. It houses an enormous variety of art, but interestingly enough it is the largest museum collection of Japanese works under one roof in the world outside of Japan.
National Gallery of Art—Washington DC: This national museum located in the nation’s capital has free admission. The National Gallery has an abundance of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the present, including the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)—New York, NY: The Met is famous worldwide for its very diverse and expansive collection—in fact, more than two million works are housed here, divided into nineteen different departments. It is the largest museum in the United States.
Art Institute of Chicago (AIC)—Chicago, IL: The AIC has one of the world’s most noteworthy collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork. It is also the second largest museum in the U.S. after The Met.
J. Paul Getty Museum—Los Angeles, CA: This LA area museum and major tourist destination is known for its Western art from the Middle Ages all the way up to the present. The building’s architecture is also stunning.
High Museum of Art (The High)—Atlanta GA: The High is considered the leading art museum of the southeastern region of the U.S. It houses more than 11,000 works of art in its permanent collection.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art—San Francisco, CA: A modern and contemporary art collection containing over 27,000 artistic works of painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, design, and media arts.
Philadelphia Art Museum—Philadelphia, PA: This museum is one of the largest art museums in the U.S. The Philadelphia Art Museum holds over 200 galleries spanning 2,000 years of art.
This post was updated in May 2024.
