Art Museums to Visit in Denver

If there’s anything you already know about Denver, it’s that there are a ton of museums to enjoy! From historic houses to science museums to air and space centers, there are plenty of great opportunities to learn something new and experience some of the best museums west of the Mississippi. 

While there are too many museums to go over in just one article, we can certainly focus on my personal favorite: Denver’s art museums. With collections ranging from ancient America to Renaissance Europe to modern and contemporary pieces, you’re sure to find an exhibition that leaves you lost in its magic for hours and hours.

Denver’s art museums

American Museum of Western Art

Featured art: American art

19th century—present

Over 300 masterpieces ranging from early 19th century American modernism to 20th century abstract expressionism to present day contemporary landscapes, the American Museum of Western Art perfectly encapsulates the emotion and environment of the American West.

The centerpiece of the museum’s offerings is the permanently shown Anschutz Collection, made up of over 600 works varying from field sketches to sculptures to paintings and more. The collection, which features over 180 artists from 13 different schools of art, captures snapshots of American history through the intricate brushstrokes of the artists. 

Grand landscapes of hyper-realistic canyons and abstract depictions of sun-bleached pueblos line the walls of this world-renowned art collection, which has been exhibited throughout the United States, Europe, China, Canada, and even the former Soviet Union. 

Yeah. It’s that good. 

Clyfford Still Museum

Featured art: abstract expressionism

20th century

Named for the artist whose paintings are housed in the gallery, the Clyfford Still Museum contains nearly the entire collection of sketches, drawings, sculptures and paintings by the late abstract expressionist.

Clyfford Still was one of the original members of the abstract expressionism movement that originated in the United States immediately following World War II. His paintings contain bold, bright colors in jagged shapes that invoked strong impressions of light, shadow, movement and the organized chaos of organic shapes. His works show Still’s own journey from classic landscapes to his abstract color masterpieces. 

The museum also features a hands-on art studio and rotating exhibitions, all housed in a building that’s as unique and abstract as Still himself. 

Denver Art Museum

Featured art: pretty much everything

2000 B.C. — present

With over 70,000 pieces of art ranging from ancient sculptures to contemporary paintings, the Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in the United States, and most certainly one of the largest between Chicago and the West Coast. 

The museum houses 12 diverse collections from photography to Oceanic art to African and Asian art. Most notable is the museum’s collection of American indigenous art and Western American art, both of which feature a wide variety of art forms. The museum also houses work by world-renowned 20th-century contemporary artists such as Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Henri Matisse and Marcel Duchamp. 

The DAM has a strong reputation for offering a successful and immersive museum experience for both children and adults. The many events, workshops and rotating exhibitions mean that your experience at the DAM will be different each time you go!

Mizel Museum

Featured art: Jewish art

Aimed at promoting cross-cultural understanding, Holocaust education and social justice advocacy, the Mizel Museum is more a scrapbook than an art museum. The museum’s crown jewel is its permanent exhibit “4,000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks.” This collection of artifacts, art, relics and household items documents the history and heritage of the Jewish people and culture through the years. This collection’s supporting programs include Holocaust education programs, storytelling and customized tours. 

Museo de las Américas

Featured art: Indigenous American art

What started as a small office in a cabinet-making building in 1992 has blossomed into an award-winning museum dedicated to educating the community on indigenous American cultures. 

The museum’s collections and galleries showcase artifacts and art from time periods ranging from the ancient Americas to contemporary art movements. From ancient woven materials to pre-Colombian sculptures to modern abstract mixed media works, each piece on display is presented to educate and enlighten visitors on the depth and complexity of indigenous art in the Americas. The museum also has a significant research library and community service program. 

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

Featured art: Contemporary art

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver is a testament to the fluidity of contemporary art itself, as there are no permanent collections at the museum. Exhibits rotate through the museum every 2-4 months, meaning visitors can experience a whole new museum’s worth of pieces three to four times each year! 

Fun fact of the day: the MCA Denver used to occupy an old fish market in Downtown Denver! 

If you’re looking to spend a glamorous afternoon in a gallery or a picnic on a sculpture-covered lawn, these art museums near our luxury Downtown Denver apartments are sure to be unforgettable experiences for any art lover.

Enjoy!

Pin it!

Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/Peggy_Marco