Art Museums in Tennessee

Contemporary Artists Find a Home!
Harrington Brown Gallery is a chic public art gallery in Memphis renowned for showcasing contemporary works of art from talented artists. On exhibition are paintings, drawings, sculptures and photography from numerous up-and-coming artists. This art museum in TN is always on the lookout for new talents and encourages budding artists to submit their work to the gallery. 

The art gallery also offers seminars and workshops to help artists hone their skills. Harrington Brown Gallery is open 10 am - 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and by appointment. 

Learn About America's Art History
The Hunter Museum of American Art is not only a tribute to the arts inside, but the building itself is work of art! Perched 80-feet above the Tennessee River on the edge of a bluff, the venue offers great views. The Hunter Museum focuses on works of American art from the colonial period to the present day. 

Visiting hours are 10am to 5pm on all days except Wednesday and Sunday, when the museum is open from noon until 5pm. With an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures from well-known artists, the Hunter Museum of American Art is a must-visit for the entire family. Tickets cost $9.95 for adults and students, while children and seniors pay $4.95 and $8.95 respectively. Make sure you visit this TN art museum!

A Bit of Ancient Greece for Modern Nashville
Originally built in 1897 for Tennessee's Centennial Exposition, The Parthenon is a replica of the original in Athens, Greece. It even houses a 42-foot replica of the statue of Athena (commissioned in 1982). Now The Parthenon is the city of Nashville's art museum home to 63 exclusive paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists.

Aside from its permanent collection, the gallery spaces provide a venue for various temporary shows and exhibits. The Parthenon is a must-see when in Nashville as it's a piece of Greece right here on American soil! The Parthenon is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am-4:30pm and Sundays 12:30-4:30 pm. It is closed on Mondays. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children and senior citizens. Guided tours are offered for groups of ten or more and by reservation only

Family Friendly Promotion of the Arts
With approximately 24,000 square feet of gallery space, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is one of the largest art-exhibition centers in Tennessee. This non-profit art center not only seeks to promote the arts, the Martin ArtQuest gallery located on the upper level actively encourages visitors of all ages to create prints, sketches and paintings by their own hands.

Aside from the educational aspects, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts also exhibits visual art from local, state and regional artists. Exhibitions are held all year round, from paintings to sculptures and a lot more! The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is open to the general public throughout the week, although timings vary daily. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $7 for college students and senior citizens, while visitors aged 18 and under enter free. Parking is available outside the building.

Art Amidst Serene Beauty in the Heart of Memphis
Founded in 1976 by Hugo and Margaret Dixon, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens is an art museum famous for its collection of French and American impressionist paintings in Tennessee. The Dixon also possesses a notable collection of 18th-century German and English porcelain. 

Out in the gardens, which have won numerous accolades for its horticultural efforts, the Dixon has sculptures spread throughout the sprawling 17-acre property. The Dixon Gallery and Gardens are open to the public Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Tickets cost $7 for adults, $3 for children aged 7 - 17 and $5 for senior citizens and college students with valid ID. The Dixon Gallery and Gardens also hold various exhibitions throughout the year, but guided tours of the art collection can be booked at request.

A Museum East Tennessee Artists Call Home
The Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA) opened its doors to the public in 1990. With a focus on promoting artists from the East Tennessee region, KMA celebrates their work, all the while setting a benchmark in the region with their groundbreaking exhibitions showcasing famous works by artists from across America and beyond. Knoxville Museum of Art conducts several themed exhibitions throughout the year, and the best part? Admission is free!

The Knoxville Museum of Art also conducts guided tours, workshops, artist residencies, outreach programs, lectures, concerts, classroom programs, and family activities. The KMA is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am-5 pm and on Sunday from 1 pm-5 pm. There is free parking available outside the building of this TN art museum.

Promoting the Arts With a Free Gallery
Located inside the sprawling 330-acre campus, the Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery is housed inside the building which used to be the old college gym. The art gallery's permanent collection consists of works of art from every corner of the globe, both historical and present. In addition to that, exhibitions are organized from other public and private art sources, as well as a number of traveling exhibitions. 

The Fine Arts Gallery hosts six exhibitions annually, and features works from its students as well as contemporary Eastern and Western art by renowned artists. Popular for its arts program, the Vanderbilt University encourages the public to drop by and entry to the Fine Arts Gallery is free. The gallery is open Monday-Friday 12pm-4pm and 1pm-5pm on weekends.

University Gallery With an Impressive Collection
The Art Museum of the University of Memphis - or AMUM for short - is the renowned art gallery located inside the campus home to the Memphis Tigers! Opened in 1981, AMUM strives for excellence in its exhibitions and educational art programs. Over the years, the art museum has expanded its permanent collection to include Egyptian antiquities, paintings and various cultural artifacts from across the globe.

Being a university gallery, works of art by its students are an obvious draw. But aside from student exhibitions, what sets AMUM apart from other galleries in the city are the cultural artifacts in its possession from every corner of the world. Making for a fun and educational visit for attendees seeking memories from a bygone era. The Art Museum of the University of Memphis is open Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, except between temporary exhibits and University holidays. Admission is free.

A Non-Profit Dedicated to Spreading Arts and Culture
Founded in 1975, Hendersonville Arts Council promotes itself as a community arts service promoting the cultural development of Hendersonville and the surrounding mid-Tennessee area. Exhibitions held at Hendersonville Arts Council's gallery feature both local and regional artists. 

Housed inside the historic Monthaven, itself listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places, the Hendersonville Arts Council conducts several arts classes, workshops and summer camps teaching music and other forms of creative arts. The Hendersonville Arts Council encourages artists to send in their works for consideration for exhibitions. But if you didn't make the cut, don't fret, the council only has limited space and they assure the artists their work will be considered for another show.
Entry to the art gallery is free. Opening hours are 9am-3pm, Tuesday to Friday, and 10pm-2pm on Saturdays.  

A Gallery to Discover, Shop or Gift Art
From musical theatre to art classes, the Fly Arts Center is a one-stop shop for all things art and culture. The center's Gallery & Gift Shop is an organization operating under the Bedford County Arts Council to encourage the region's artists to submit their work with a purpose to showcase the county's artistic talents. The Fly Art Center's gallery announces the artists whose work has been juried and accepted for exhibit on a regular basis.

Aside from the public art submissions, the gallery's permanent collection includes paintings and sculptures by some of Shelbyville's most acclaimed artists. The Bedford County Arts Council accept art of all kinds -- be they drawings, sculptures or even photography. The Bedford Art Gallery & Gift Shop is open 11am-4pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Entry is free.