ASU Art Museum

The reception guy is very nice with good introduction. Total 5 gallery are located in three floors. I like American local art in south second floor. Actually I can’t understand some art works. Anyway, it is a good experience.

I came here on a Friday for a class field trip with my art class. It was a little hard to find at first since it was my first time being here. There is a lot of parking so that is a plus, and a lot of it is free parking. I ended up finding the museum and it actually blew me away. It is super cool inside and the ceiling is architecturally designed beautifully. After I got out of my class I got to walking around the rest of the museum and all the different rooms with art works are so cool and amazing. I definitely recommend coming here if you have nothing else to do during the summer or if you are here on vacation. It is free which is awesome too!

As Lindsey F states in her review: «chances are you’ve driven past the ASU Art Museum several hundred times and never realized that it was there! Next time you’re taking a cruise down Mill Ave, STOP and go inside the museum. Did you know that this museum was named amed «the single most impressive venue for contemporary art in Arizona» by Art in America Magazine? Pretty impressive stuff. It’s hard not to spend time just appreciating the structure alone, with its Egyptian influence and maze like floor plan. That alone makes this place stand out in my eyes. The museum is nonprofit and works diligently to maintain an environment that’s educational and relevant to our lives with collections ranging from contemporary art and new media to ceramics, prints and Southwestern Art and Art of the Americas. Just stop in and view the exhibits, you’ll see. It’s incredibly refreshing to see the passion from behind the scenes, from the museum director Gordon Knox, to the curators and the ASU Art Museum Advisory Board, that essentially represents the community. I was here for the first for a Unilocal event was instantly impressed by what they are doing here at museum. Did you know they also have projects that the museum globally? Think Italy, China, Kenya, Australia, Boston.
I was lucky to attend a recent private opening for an incredible collection that will be at the museum through September. It’s not to be missed. The museum is quite lucky to house the selected works of art from La Colección Jumex, from Mexico City, which happens to be one of the largest and most important contemporary art collections in Latin America. Quite frankly, the public should know it’s a rare opportunity. The works of art represent emerging and established arts alike from Mexico, the US, Europe and Latin America. Pieces were selected from the Jumex Collection in effort to depict the Arizona/​Mexico border relationship. The exhibit is smart and thoughtful and the breadth and depth of the works of art leave much to interpretation. I loved it. I walked through it about four times, it had me thinking.
That’s just one example of what the ASU Art Museum is up to. It truly is a gem and my hopes are that people continue to appreciate it and the more people come to know more about it.
Ps. Make sure to stop by the Museum store. They’ve got some interesting items and I especially appreciate some of the jewelry lines they carry, which are all handmade and high quality.

This is a beautiful building with a lot of local artists work new and old. Definitely worth the trip and a great place to take out of town guests. It’s free and your right by lots of great restaurants and fun shops on Mill Ave.
Add this to your list!

Such a beautiful campus. The art in the museum was of an assorted variety. There was pretty, thought provoking, and fun art of all mediums on display.
It was a very entertaining night and I had a lot of fun with the visual feast Unilocal and the musem provided. The building itself reminded me of the movie ‘The Labyrinth’. I was holding my breath waiting for David Bowie to pop out as I made my way throughout the building.

Chances are, you’ve driven past the ASU Art Museum several hundred times and never realized that it was hiding within the concrete jungle of ASU. At least, that’s what happened to me! It wasn’t until recently, that I discovered the ASU Art Museum and let me just say that if you are a lover of artwork and you haven’t been, it’s high time you visit!
First off, this museum is free to visit. Yes free! It’s a non-​profit so they happily accept donations, but they don’t require a fee to visit. The museum is about three stories and filled with everything from paintings to sculptures. It’s got a modern art vibe and the artwork is the type that you can stare at for awhile before moving on to the next piece. This is an intimate museum but not one to be missed!
Hidden within a concrete building, you enter the museum by walking down a staircase to enter underground. A concrete jungle with water fountains welcome you and a gift shop with all locally made pieces entice you inside. Once inside, visit each room and explore the art hidden inside. I can’t believe I walked past the museum so many times over the years while on my way to Gammage and never realized this little artistic gem was hiding at my finger tips!

Very cool little Art Museum. This contemporary building is kinda hidden in the ASU campus, but is quite a find. Great Museum store offers numerous unique items that are great for gifts. Great first experience and I look forward to going back for many more.

This was my favorite place to meditate in my emo, self indulgent thoughts as an undergraduate, and as I have grown out of that, I find myself returning there for quiet reflection time. This museum is really dedicated to bringing art and artists to the community — making it accessible and understandable. I love how they curate and arrange work, really making me explore and think about different things as I travel through.

This is a hidden little gem in the Valley art scene. We’ve been here a few times for family fun day and on other occasions it’s always a good time for the kids with lots of activities and appearances by children’s authors and PBS characters.
As for the exhibits, the ones on display when we’ve been there have perfectly fine, although I don’t completely get the concept of grouping a Hogarth with Cuban art and other random pieces just because they include text.
It’s a University art museum so the selection is a bit limited, but we have been impressed with their permanent collection as well as the ceramic exhibits which are just across the street from the main exhibit. While some of the art has mature themes, so does much of the greatest art from all times that are located in art museums all across the United States and Europe.
So is this museum appropriate for children? Well, I’d much rather expose my children to mature themes and pictures in an art museum than have them learn about them through friends or on the internet.

I’ve been here before this visit but voluntarily. This time it was for an assignment.
That aside, I had a great time.
My assignment was in the Americas gallery. It was overwhelming to take in, perhaps because of the assignment at hand. I loved the variety and theme like displays. The quotes were amazing.
There is security everywhere. You have to leave all your worldly possessions at the front desk. They give you a numbered tag, you bring it back, you get your items. I hate doing that because I don’t trust people with my things, but in the same manner, it was nice to not be bothered by my massive bag.
Whenever I go, exhibits are changing which is a pain because I want to see what is being prepared to be shown. I hate being held back from awesomeness.
It’s definately not a place for kids though, so be warned.
And yes, while it is free, they are not shy in asking for donations or showing off the donation display begging for more money. So bring a few extra dollars when you come or you may get a few odd looks.

Are you wandering around aimlessly near the ASU campus for no apparent reason? Is the merciless summer sun shriveling your soul as you begin speaking in tongues? Are you in need of a giant air conditioning unit, but aren’t in the mood with dealing with your steaming kitty litter box at home, or spending hard-​earned cash money getting a beer at Fat Tuesay with a bunch of identical-​looking frat guys with spiked and frosted hair?
Then come here. To the ASU Art Museum, located off Mill, just north of the School of Music building — you know, the one that looks like a giant pink birthday cake. Or a salmon birthday cake. I already told you I failed at Crayola. Let’s move on.
First, a note of caution. It is a little confusing getting to this here ASU Art Museum. For out in the scorching sun, there is a set of stairs that go up… only to come back down again. That’s it. Stairs for stairs’ sake. Just… stairs. No walkway at the top. No entrance to a building. No window. No nothing. Stairs. Leading to nowhere. Except more stairs.
When you do find the shadey part, however, you then go down (more stairs), but this time into somewhat of an abyss. And suddenly you come across a courtyard with some interesting art pieces.
Check it out: for there is a stone lady wearing a hat. And nothing else.
And look! More sculptures. None of which I can remember right now. I know. I’m pretty useless.
And you’re not even in the museum yet.
Ok, now go into the museum.
Wait. Hold on. Just stand for a minute. Don’t move.
Just take in the air conditioning.
Ahhhh.
Just like going into the walk-​in fridge at Circle K… not that you do that regularly.
Where were you? Oh yeah, check in your bag and your camera at the information booth, because these docents don’t tolerate. But pay no dinero for an entrance fee. Gratis! Score.
Go to the bathroom. Look at your face in the mirror. See it all tired and sweaty. Splash it with cold water. Wake the hell up. You’re going to be looking at art for a while. But first, appreciate the immaculate bathroom. No one’s obviously ever in here.
Ok, art.
GROUND FLOOR
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Paintings in a multi-​purpose room. A gallery full of incredible ceramics by Kurt Weiser (
). Actually scratch that. His exhbition is heading elsewhere… you lose. But no worries; something else will be in its place. Move to other side of the ground floor. An interactive sound gallery by Paulo Nenflidio. Contraptions. Some you can play with, like a Brazilian berimbau and something that looks like it came straight out that Mousetrap 80s board game, and some off limits. Sound machine dioramas made by high school students line the floor. Now, move past a few paintings in the foy-​ay and head up the stairs.
SECOND FLOOR
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It’s the Gallery of the Americas. A big room containing art from throughout the Western Hemisphere. Which would be fine, except that styles of American art seems a little incongruous to Latin American and Afro-​Caribbean art, and that having them all jumbled together is a little random. And hey, where’s the Canadian art? Poor Canucks. Not even an afterthought. However, the individual pieces in this room are still interesting. Not to mention you also get to behold a wall of flesh. Tasty.
Go into the hall, head up a couple of steps and move outside to a small courtyard where two giant abstract men are lazing about in all their glory. Then you remember that being outside kind of sucks. Go back in through another door, where you think you’re heading into yet another gallery. But no, it’s the Gallery of the Americas again. You are apparently trapped inside MC Escher’s head.
But then, what is this? More stairs?
THIRD FLOOR
— — — — — — —
Another huge gallery space, currently in between exhibitions. You are stumped, realizing this museum is much larger than you ever expected. Who’d have ever thought?
BACK ON THE GROUND FLOOR
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -
Meander into the art museum gift shop. It’s big and cluttered, and seemingly more like a tchochke art tinket store meets Marshalls meets a Sharper Image. You’ll probably buy nothing, and will wonder why they’re selling clothes that don’t say «ASU» or «I Heart Spin Art!» but it’s good for a walk-​thru nevertheless.
Then collect your bag and camera from the front desk. Hesitate. Because you know your time wandering through a surprisingly large and temperature-​controlled art museum for absolutely free in Tempe is about to come to an end. A blast furnace awaits you outside. Along with stairs that lead to more stairs.
But who said the world is perfect? You just spent an hour in an air-​conditioned establishment without having to listen to Nickelback while the table next to you is playing quarters. Off you go.
4 stars.