Is Princeton University Art Museum Open?

Art|Art Museum

The Princeton University Art Museum is one of the premier art collections in the United States. With more than 92,000 works of art, it is among the largest university art museums in the country. Located on the main campus of Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, the museum offers a rich collection of historical and contemporary art from around the world.

The museum was established in 1882 as part of a bequest from James Richardson and has grown to include an array of works across a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, prints, photography, and decorative arts. Thanks to its encyclopedic collection, the museum offers visitors a comprehensive look at international artistic movements and styles.

The museum’s permanent collection is divided into several galleries that feature different periods and cultures. The American Art Gallery showcases works from colonial times to present day America, while the European Art Gallery features Renaissance and Baroque pieces from northern Europe. Other galleries include Ancient & Asian Art; Islamic Art; Prints & Drawings; Photography; Contemporary Art; African & Oceanic Art; Greek & Roman Art; and Ancient Near Eastern Seals & Tablets.

In addition to its permanent collection, the Princeton University Art Museum also hosts rotating exhibitions that explore specific themes or artists within its vast holdings. Recent exhibitions have spotlighted ancient Chinese jade carvings, traditional Japanese woodblock prints, Dutch Golden Age drawings and paintings, Indian miniatures from Rajasthan during Mughal rule, modernist American photography of Edward Weston and Paul Strand, as well as contemporary Latin American art.

The museum also hosts educational programming for students at all levels. Lectures by visiting scholars are offered throughout the year on topics related to various aspects of art history as well as contemporary trends in visual culture. The museum also offers interactive workshops for children that explore various creative processes such as printmaking or pottery-making through hands-on activities with guidance from professional instructors.

The Princeton University Art Museum is currently open for public viewing with modified hours due to COVID-19 safety protocols in place including capacity limits and social distancing guidelines. Is Princeton University Art Museum Open?Yes! The Princeton University Art Museum is open with modified hours due to COVID-19 safety protocols in place.