“Art is a nation’s most precious heritage," Lyndon B. Johnson famously proclaimed, while signing into existence the National Endowment for the Arts. "For it is in our works of art that we reveal to ourselves and to others the inner vision which guides us as a nation."
Art museums across the country continue to uphold Johnson's rather romantic sentiment, providing patrons with an evolving glimpse of this "inner vision." Over the next few weeks, you might find yourself home for various winter celebrations, and, surrounded by family and friends, you'll either have more free time than you can handle or you'll be grasping for moments of tranquility amidst the chaos. Either way, it's a better season than ever to explore the country's various art institutes -- particularly the ones funded by tax payers and philanthropic collectors.
Yes, we're talking about the United States' free art museums. These gems, scattered from New York City to Los Angeles, provide art lovers with the space to relish paintings, photography, sculpture, performance and everything in between. Because the holidays can be expensive -- and free art museums aren't -- we've compiled a list of the 19 destinations you should visit in the next few weeks. Behold:
1. The Getty Center in Los Angeles
Where: Los Angeles, California
What: Part of the Getty Museum (and the larger Getty Trust family), the Center pays special tribute to 20th century art and architecture, with an outdoor garden you can't miss.
On view now: "World War I: War of Images, Images of War"
"Mr. Getty believed that art was a civilizing influence in society that should be freely available to the public for education and enjoyment," Timothy Potts, director of the J. Paul Getty Museum, wrote to HuffPost. "Thanks to his generosity, we are able to offer free admission to the nearly 1.8 million visitors who come to the Getty Center and Getty Villa to enjoy our renowned collections and wide range of public programs. We are also able to take arts education into K-12 classrooms, and bring students to the Museum on Getty-funded buses to experience the arts firsthand -- often for the first time."
2. The Saint Louis Museum of Art
Where: St. Louis, Missouri
What: Smack dab in the middle of the city's Forest Park, admission to this institute (a part of the former 1904 World's Fair grounds) is free through a subsidy from the cultural tax district for St. Louis City and County.
On view now: Nick Cave, Nicholas Nixon and Vija Celmins
"The phrase 'dedicated to art and free to all' is engraved in stone above our front entrance," Brent R. Benjamin, the director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, proclaimed to The Huffington Post. "I believe there is virtue -- the rather old-fashioned notions of civic welcome and hospitality -- to the fact that the taxpayers of St. Louis offer admission to their Art Museum free of charge to all visitors, regardless of where they reside, a generosity of spirit that now dates back more than a century."
3. The Cleveland Museum of Art
Where: Cleveland, Ohio
What: The museum houses over 43,000 works in its permanent collection thanks to a trust founded in 1913. The holdings place an emphasis on Asian and Egyptian art, but the museums showcases everything from Surrealist photography to landscape paintings of Maine.
On view now: "Forbidden Games: Surrealist and Modernist Photography"
4. The Baltimore Museum of Art
Where: Baltimore, Maryland
What: This museum -- free thanks to grants from Baltimore City and Baltimore County -- houses mostly 19th and 20th century art. The Cone collection alone has pieces by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Paul Cézanne, Edouard Manet, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh and Pierre-August Renoir. Fun fact, this museum possesses the largest holding of Matisse works in the world.
On view now: "On Paper: Alternate Realities"
"As we celebrate our 100th Anniversary, we are thrilled that The Baltimore Museum of Art can make the civic legacy of our incredible art collection accessible to all, free-of-charge," Doreen Bolger, director of the Baltimore Museum of Art, explained via email. "This makes the BMA not only a destination for cultural tourists who visit our city, but also an anchor institution for our community, serving more people -- families, for example, have tripled their participation in our Free Family programs."
5. The Indianapolis Museum of Art
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
What: The Indianapolis Museum of Art has everything from Edo-period Japanese paintings to J. M. W. Turner to contemporary American artists. Bonus, the institute prioritizes greening initiatives and open source technologies.
On view now: "Georgia O’Keeffe and the Southwestern Still Life"
6. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Where: Washington, D.C.
What: The National Gallery was created out of a joint resolution from the United States Congress, intended to be public and free of charge. One of its claims to fame: it owns the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Americas.
On view now: Edgar Degas, El Greco and Captain Linnaeus Tripe, photographer of India and Burma.
7. Frye Art Museum in Seattle
Where: Seattle, Washington
What: The museum is well known for its painting and sculpture collections from the 19th century to today. The institute is Seattle's first free art museum.
On view now: "#SocialMedium"
"The Frye Art Museum in Seattle is free for good. By which I mean: we’re free both forever, and for the benefit of everyone in the diverse communities we serve," Jo-Anne Birnie Danzker, director of Seattle's iconic free art haven, explained to The Huffington Post. "Charles and Emma Frye, our founders, were visionary civic leaders and philanthropists. Their legacy ensures that access is a core value and has enabled us to offer some hope and joy through the recent hard times. Funding has been slashed for art education and many in our community are seeking sanctuary and a welcoming place for contemplation. We’re especially pleased that artists face no financial barrier to visiting the Frye. Why does it work so well? We’re the place to experience art in the everyday at no cost."
8. Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
What: Opened in 1915, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts has around 40,000 pieces in its permanent collection.
On view now: "Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945"
9. Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What: "Ever since Andy Warhol and his entourage caused a near-riot here in 1965," the ICA writes online, this museum has been bringing contemporary art to Philly. Artists like Warhol, Laurie Anderson, Agnes Martin, and Robert Indiana had their first ever museum shows here.
On view now: Alex Da Corte, Jayson Musson, Morya Davey, and Nicole Eisenman.
10. The Menil Collection in Houston
Where: Houston, Texas
What: The Menil's private collection has everything from Yves Tanguy to Man Ray to Mark Rohtko.
On view now: "Experiments with Truth: Gandhi and Images of Nonviolence"
11. The Bronx Museum of Arts
Where: New York, New York
What: The Bronx Museum of Arts focuses on 20th century to present day American artists. Its permanent collection is small but mighty at around 800 paintings, sculptures and photographs.
On view now: Bosco Sodi, Michael Joo and Lisa Leone
12. The Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston
Where: Houston, Texas
What: CAMH is a non-collecting museum that exhibits American, international and Texan contemporary art.
On view now: "Double Life"
13. The Hammer in Los Angeles
Where: Los Angeles, California
What: After a disagreement with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Armand Hammer started his own museum to showcases his collection. Now the 79,000-square-foot museum is open to the public for free.
On view now: "Jim Hodges: Give More Than You Take"
14. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville
Where: Bentonville, Arkansas
What: Founded by Alice Walton, this 217,000-square-foot complex celebrates American art in the middle of Arkansas.
On view now: "State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now"
15. MOCA Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles
Where: Los Angeles, California
What: A branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, this smaller complex is nestled inside the massive Pacific Design Center. And it's free!
On view now: "Cameron: Songs for the Witch Woman"
16. Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City
Where: Kansas City, Missouri
What: The shuttlecock in the front lawn of the Nelson-Atkins, created by Claes Oldenburg, is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the 33,500-piece collection.
On view now: "The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth & Sky"
17. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum in East Lansing
Where: East Lansing, Michigan
What: Located at Michigan State University, Eli Broad and his wife donated $26 million to this museum, which opened in 2012.
On view now: “Day After Debt: A Call for Student Loan Relief”
18. Dallas Museum of Art
Where: Dallas, Texas
What: The DMA has a permanent collection dating from the third millennium BC to the present day.
On view now: "Isa Genzken: Retrospective"
19. American Folk Art Museum in New York City
Where: New York, New York
What: This museum focuses on "self-taught" artists who create everything from portraits to quilts.
On view now: "A Shared Legacy: Folk Art in America"
Bonus: The Rothko Chapel in Houston
Where: Houston, Texas
What: Rothko, Rothko and more Rothko.
On view now: Rothko
UPDATE: Beginning in April 2015, the Indianapolis Museum of Art will be charging for admission. See press release here.
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