On the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, this compact museum brings Renaissance works into the same visit as modern and contemporary art. Its collection includes the 26-panel Altarpiece of Ciudad Rodrigo, paintings by artists such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, and Jacques Lipchitz sculptures. You may also find changing exhibitions alongside student and community art. Look for Willem de Kooning’s recovered painting “Woman-Ochre” and allow time to move between the collection’s very different styles.
A collection across centuries
The University of Arizona Museum of Art began with the university’s first art exhibition in 1924. Its collection has grown through donations and includes European and American paintings, sculpture, prints and drawings. Works span from the Renaissance to modern and contemporary art, so a visit can move between very different periods and approaches.
The collection includes paintings by Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Georgia O’Keeffe and Edward Hopper. Exhibitions draw on the permanent holdings as well as changing displays, which have included work by students and local artists. What is on view can vary from one visit to the next.
The Altarpiece of Ciudad Rodrigo
One of the museum’s distinctive historical works is the Altarpiece of Ciudad Rodrigo, a Spanish Renaissance ensemble of 26 painted panels depicting the life of Christ. Made in the 1490s by Fernando Gallego, the panels are part of the Kress Collection and remain on permanent display. Their scale and subject offer a striking change of pace from the modern galleries.
Modern art and changing exhibitions
The museum’s modern holdings include works by Pollock and Rothko, alongside a room of sculptures by Jacques Lipchitz. Willem de Kooning’s “Woman-Ochre,” a painting that was stolen and later recovered, is another work to look for when planning your visit.
Rotating exhibitions bring other perspectives into the galleries. Past displays have included Surrealist works and an exhibition centered on queer artists. Student and community art has also appeared in the museum, giving visitors a chance to see work beyond the permanent collection.
Planning your visit
The museum is at 1031 N Olive Road on the University of Arizona campus. It has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, elevator and restroom. Parking options include university lots and paid street parking; check local signs and payment details before leaving your car.
Admission information in the available material is inconsistent, so confirm the current policy with the museum before setting out. The museum recommends getting tickets in advance. Its galleries are compact, but the range of art can hold your attention for several hours, especially if you take time with the historic panels and changing exhibitions.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long should I spend at the University of Arizona Museum of Art?
Plan for about 2 to 3 hours. The compact museum includes art from the Renaissance through modern and contemporary periods.
Where is the museum?
It is at 1031 N Olive Road on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson.
Is admission free?
The available information conflicts on admission, so check the museum’s current ticket details before your visit.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. It has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, elevator, restroom and parking.
