This page has been optimized for printing through your browser.

Saint Louis Art Museum

 

DESCRIPTION: The Saint Louis Art Museum is one of the nation's leading comprehensive art museums containing more than 30,000 objects. Its collections include works of art of exceptional quality from virtually every culture and time period. Areas of notable depth include Oceanic art, pre-Columbian art, ancient Chinese bronzes, and European and American art of the late 19th century and 20th century, with particular strength in German painting. The Museum offers a full range of exhibitions and educational programming generated independently as well as in collaboration with local, national, and international partners.

SLOGAN: "Dedicated to art and free to all"

ADDRESS: Forest Park, One Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110-1380

LOCATION: On Art Hill in the western end of Forest Park, six miles west of downtown St. Louis

PHONE NUMBER: 314-721-0072

WEB SITE: www.slam.org

GETTING THERE: From I-64, take Exit 34D (Forest Park/Museums) and continue north into Forest Park. Then follow the signs to the Art Museum.

METROLINK: Take MetroLink light rail to the Forest Park station.

HOURS: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fridays 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

HANDICAPPED ACCESS: The museum's parking, building and galleries are accessible to persons with disabilities. Wheelchairs are available at no cost. Assisted Listening Devices (ALD's) and signers are available for most programs.

ADMISSION: FREE to the permanent collection; special exhibitions admissions varies, please call ahead for specific pricing. Special exhibitions are free to all on Fridays. Exhibitions are free for members at all times.

ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 600,000

SIGNIFICANACE: The Saint Louis Art Museum is rated among the top 10 art museums in the country in attendance. Its education programs serve more people per capita than any other art museum in the country.

WHAT'S NEW: The Art Museum features three major exhibits and several small exhibits each year. Scheduled during 2003 is the reinstallation of numerous galleries including Arms and Armor, African, Oceanic, and American.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • An extensive European collection including Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, and Gauguin.
  • A gallery of medieval art and artifacts.
  • A collection of Renaissance masterpieces.
  • Period Rooms which present "a snapshot in time" of six time periods in history with artwork, furniture and decorative pieces such as pottery and vases.
  • The world's largest collection of works by Max Beckmann and George Caleb Bingham.

HISTORY: The Saint Louis Art Museum, designed by architect Cass Gilbert as the Palace of Fine Arts for the 1904 World's Fair and completed in 1903, was unique among the fair buildings. While most of the buildings were made of "staff," an inexpensive temporary building material made of plaster of paris and manila fiber which could be molded into elaborate shapes, the Palace of Fine Arts was built of gray limestone. Large classical columns lend a regal look to the entrance which opens into Sculpture Hall, a vaulted space modeled after the Roman Baths of Caracalla. The Saint Louis Art Museum became the first major U. S. art museum to be municipally funded when residents passed the Art Museum Tax in 1907.

WHAT'S COMING UP: German Art Now will be featured October 18, 2003 - January 11, 2004 followed by Art of the Osage on view March 12 - August 8, 2004.

WHERE TO GET LUNCH:

  • The Museum Café offers lunch Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday dinner 5-8 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Mummy's Place Snack Bar offers sandwiches and snacks Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday until 8:30 p.m.

GIFT SHOP: The Museum's gift shop offers a unique selection of gifts, jewelry, toys, books and posters.

ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS: A favorite among children is the Egyptian galleries featuring three mummies. Kids also enjoy the giant three-way plug sculpture near the auditorium exit.

WHAT'S NEARBY: Other attractions in Forest Park include the Science Center, the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri History Museum, and the Muny Opera, an outdoor theatre where musicals and other performances are staged each summer. The park also has tennis courts, picnic areas and a golf course. Boat rentals and gondola rides are available on the park's largest lake.

 

Readers should call 1-800-916-0040 to request a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitor Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis at www.explorestlouis.com