The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art are the country’s top art museums, but what makes these places stand out? This article reveals the secrets of the nation’s top museums. Read on to learn more. You might be surprised at just how popular some of these places are! Read on to discover the reasons why.
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1. Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Visitors Annually: 1,958,000 (2021)
- City: New York
- Collection Size: 2 million
- Director: Max Hollein
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is ranked as the top art museum in the United States. Last year, the museum welcomed almost two million visitors to its Fifth Avenue location. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located in New York City. The Met’s main building faces Fifth Avenue. The original Met building, completed in 1870, was designed by Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer. The museum has been a popular destination for art lovers for over a century. The Met’s permanent collection is unmatched.
2. National Gallery of Art
- Visitors Annually: 1,704,606
- City: Washington, D.C
- Collection Size: 75000
- Director: Kaywin Feldman
The National Gallery of Art is one of the most visited art museums in the world, and it features a diverse collection of works by internationally-renowned artists. Its first collection contains paintings from Leonardo da Vinci. The painting is the gallery’s most famous work and the only permanent exhibition of a da Vinci in the United States. If you are in the mood for a contemporary art show, visit this one!
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3. Museum of Modern Art
- Visitors Annually: 1,160,686
- City: New York
- Collection Size: 150,000
- Director: Glenn D. Lowry
The Museum of Fine Arts, also located in New York, is home to an impressive collection of American and decorative arts. Opened nine days after the Wall Street Crash, the Museum of Modern Art is the largest collection of contemporary art in the world. The museum was founded by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, wife of John D. Rockefeller. Over 150,000 pieces of art are on display at the museum, including the famous painting “Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh. The museum is also home to an extensive collection of American and European contemporary photographs.
4. Frederik Meijer Gardens
- Visitors Annually: 620,621
- City: Los Angeles
- Collection Size: 300
- Owner: West Michigan Horticultural Society
The 158-acre sculpture park and botanical garden is home to more than 30 world-renowned artists. The park’s exhibits feature works by international artists. Its sculpture park attracts visitors from around the world. In the past year alone, it has attracted more than 195,500 visitors. Art Newspaper has ranked Meijer Gardens among the world’s most-attended art exhibitions, making it one of the most-visited art museums in the United States. Visiting the garden is a great way to get to know more about the arts and the world around us.
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5. LA County Museum of Art
- Visitors Annually: 550,000
- City: Michigan
- Architect: William Pereira
- Director: Michael Govan
LACMA’s permanent art collections feature a huge array of works by artists from ancient Greece and Rome, as well as more contemporary works by American and European artists. It also houses a massive photo collection. Many films are screened at LACMA as well. The museum even has an entire pavilion devoted to Japanese art, ranging from prehistory to the 20th century.
6. Getty Center
- Visitors Annually: 508,449
- City: Los Angeles
- Established in: 1997
- Director: Michael Brand
The Getty Center is located in sunny Los Angeles, CA. It is a popular choice for visitors, largely due to its extensive collection of pre and post-twentieth-century European art. In addition to its permanent collection, the Getty has many exhibitions and events and welcomes a wide variety of audience groups. The permanent collection contains masterpieces from all eras and nations, and it offers spectacular views of Los Angeles. And don’t forget to take some time to explore Getty’s extensive collection.
7. Museum of Fine Arts Houston
- Visitors Annually: 495,530
- City: Houston
- Established in: 1900
- Director: Gary Tinterow
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, and it is a world-renowned museum. The collection is diverse, covering everything from ancient art to modern masterpieces. The museum has a rich collection of works by French Impressionists to contemporary American artists. The museum also features a large collection of works by Spanish and Latin American artists.
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8. Whitney Museum
- Visitors Annually: 492,500
- City: New York
- Established in: 1930
- Director: Adam D. Weinberg
The Whitney Museum is a major New York City attraction and is one of eighty art museums in the city. Its new facilities and exhibitions are gaining popularity with visitors and New Yorkers alike. Since it opened in 2015, it has been a central part of the city’s efforts to revitalize the Meatpacking District, a neighborhood on the Hudson River that has grown to be one of the most visited districts in the city. The fame of the High Line has helped rejuvenate this neighborhood.
9. Museum of Fine Arts
- Visitors Annually: 477,427
- City: Boston
- Established in: 1870
- Director: Matthew Teitelbaum
The MFA also has some of the best contemporary art collections in the country. The art collections at the Museum of Fine Arts are diverse and impressive. In addition to paintings, the MFA also displays a diverse selection of sculptures and photography. The MFA’s encyclopedic collection of works on paper, dating back to the mid-1600s, is considered one of the world’s best.