On Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale, NSU Art Museum brings modern and contemporary art together with Latin American works, photography and pieces by William Glackens. Its changing exhibitions give you a reason to check what is on view, while the collection includes ceramics by Picasso and art from the European CoBrA movement. The museum also presents Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Surrounded Islands project, with photographs, drawings, video and models. After the galleries, stop at the café or step onto the second-floor Peck Deck for a view of the boulevard.
A modernist museum on Las Olas Boulevard
NSU Art Museum is at 1 E Las Olas Blvd in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The museum began in 1958, and its present building opened in 1986. Architect Edward Larrabee Barnes designed the modernist structure, which has 25,000 square feet of exhibition space within an 83,000-square-foot building.
Inside, a grand staircase leads into the foyer. The building’s restrained lines and open interior set the scene for the galleries without competing with the art. On the second floor, the Peck Deck looks out over Las Olas Boulevard. It is a useful pause between exhibitions and a chance to see the museum’s downtown setting from above.
Collections and changing exhibitions
The permanent collection includes more than 7,000 works, with significant holdings in American, European and Latin American art. William Glackens, an American painter associated with the Ashcan School, is especially well represented. The museum also holds a major collection of work by European CoBrA artists, alongside modern and contemporary art, photography, Cuban art and works connected to South Florida and the Caribbean.
Exhibitions change, so the galleries can look different from one visit to the next. Past displays have included work by Haitian artists and a large presentation of photographs. The museum’s collection also includes Picasso ceramics. Check the current programme if you have a particular artist or exhibition in mind; the material on view can vary.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Surrounded Islands
The museum is a permanent home for material relating to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Surrounded Islands, the 1983 public art project in Biscayne Bay. The project involved wrapping 14 islands in pink fabric. In the museum, the presentation includes photographs, video, drawings, models and materials used in the work, including the pink polyurethane fabric.
These records let you follow the project through its planning and documentation, not only its finished appearance. Allow time to look closely at the different formats on display. The museum also has a store and café, and its 256-seat auditorium is used for programmes and events.
Perguntas frequentes
When is NSU Art Museum free?
Free admission is offered on First Thursdays. Check the museum’s event information for details before visiting.
How much time should I allow for NSU Art Museum?
Allow about 1 to 2 hours to explore the galleries and take a break on the second-floor Peck Deck.
Is NSU Art Museum suitable for children?
The museum is listed as suitable for children, but some exhibitions may be adult-focused. Check the current displays before taking children.
Is there a café at NSU Art Museum?
Yes. The museum has an on-site café, as well as a gift shop.
