From the ancient art of Europe, Asia, Africa and America to the modern day, the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) has over 54,000 works of art that depict centuries of creativity. The museum’s four floors, historical buildings and gardens describe in vivid detail the huge wealth of human creativity over thousands of years. The artwork on display here includes elaborate paintings from the Japanese Edo period, elegant centuries-old Chinese ceramics and romantic landscapes by J. M. W. Turner.
Originally opening in 1883, the museum has grown rapidly and significantly from the first exhibition of 453 pieces of art. The permanent collections of the museum now span 5,000 years and every continent, with new pieces added every year.
Fashion lovers should make a beeline for the textile collection with fabrics from the Chinese Ming Dynasty and creations by Givenchy and Coco Chanel. Highlights of this collection include a masker’s robe from the Yoruba people and a Moroccan bride’s caftan.
The museum and its grounds are an exhibit in themselves. The mixture of woodlands, fields and lakes of the “Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres” shows how the natural world can inspire artists, while hidden in the grounds, there are many sculptures and outdoor works of art to discover too. The Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens is also located here. By wandering around this area, you can find out what life was like for American elites in the 1930s.
Children can explore different creative techniques at the Star Studio interactive art centre. Make sure you pick up a family pack from the Welcome Center for more child-friendly activities.
During the summer, pack a blanket and stay into the evening for a real treat. Every Friday evening from June to August, the museum holds a popular Summer Film Series in the outdoor amphitheatre.
Located 8 kilometres north of central Indianapolis, the Indiana Museum of Art and its surrounding gardens are open every day and entry is free.