From Ancient Egypt to Jackson Pollock and beyond, this sizable university museum brings works of art from the last 5,000 years to downtown Rochester.
Home to one of the most comprehensive collections of art and historical artifacts in New York, Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery has something to offer every visitor. The museum, part of the University of Rochester, offers a thorough and informative look at global art and design. Explore the history of art or view the museum’s numerous rotating contemporary exhibits, which bring new and emerging artists to Upstate New York.
During pleasant weather, start your visit of the gallery in the Centennial Sculpture Park, founded in celebration of the museum’s 100th anniversary and featuring an extensive collection of contemporary sculpture.
Enter the museum and make your way to the American Art collection, which traces the evolution of American art from 19th-century landscapes by Winslow Homer to Georgia O’Keeffe’s radical modernism to the revolutionary work of Jackson Pollock. Linger in the adjacent collection of objects from Africa, Asia and Oceania, which includes a monumental sculpture by famed Nigerian sculptor Olowe of Ise.
On the second floor, the museum’s robust historical collection awaits. Examine the craftsmanship of ancient work from Rome, Greece and Egypt, including a set of Egyptian sarcophagi from a high nobleman’s tomb. Identify connections throughout the Near East in the At the Crossroads exhibit, which highlights similarities and differences between artwork from across the Middle East.
Sit for a while in the beautiful Baroque Fountain Court, whose pièce de résistance is an enormous pipe organ on loan from the Eastman School of Music surrounded by Renaissance masterworks. End your visit with the museum’s Impressionists, including works by Monet, Matisse and Cezanne.
Though run by the University of Rochester, the Memorial Art Gallery is closer to the downtown area than to the university’s campus, a 5-minute drive or 25-minute walk from Rochester’s central train station. Drive here in 12 minutes from the University of Rochester main campus. Convenient free parking is available in adjacent lots.
The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from mid-morning to early evening, and has an admission charge. On Thursdays and select Fridays, the museum opens until late at night, with half-price admission.
