First Timer's Guide to the Dallas Museum of Art
Everything you need to know before you go!
Located in the heart of the Dallas Arts District, the Dallas Museum of Art is the crown jewel of the city's art scene. Dating back to 1903, the museum has grown from a small group of art aficionados at the Dallas Public Library into a 370,000-square-foot building that houses more than 25,000 pieces of art.
The museum's vast collection represents a full range of world cultures spanning every time period from the third millennium BC to the present day. As one of the ten largest art museums in the country, your first time there can be a little intimidating. If you've never been to the Dallas Museum of Art, here are a few highlights you should know about before you go.
Collections
Every year the DMA hosts a wide array of traveling exhibitions so at any given time, there may be several special exhibitions on display. You can find what is currently at the museum by visiting the website. In addition to exhibitions, the museum boasts more than ten permanent collections that show off art from around the world. Here is a sampling of those collections.
The Keir Collection of Islamic Art Gallery: This private collection of Islamic art is currently on long-term loan to the Dallas Museum of Art. The exhibits selected works from the 18th and 19th centuries offer a view into artistic practices and production in Iran, India and the Ottoman Turkish lands during the beginning of the modern era.
Ancient and Native American Art: The works in this collection extend from northern Mexico through South America from 1500 BC until 1550 AD.
Art of the Americas: More than 4,000 pieces of art spanning 3,000 years represent the artists' achievements and cultural heritage of 16 counties in the Western Hemisphere.
Arts of Africa: Objects in the world-renowned African collection were chosen for both their visual appeal and cultural significance. In contrast to Western "art for art's sake," tradition-based African art served as an agent of religion, social stability or social control.
Asian Art: The museum's Asian art collection comprises a notable selection of Japanese and Chinese works along with Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian art. The works range from the first few centuries BC to modern day.
American and European Art: With a concentration of 18th and 19th-century works, DMA's collection of American and European art dances from paintings to sculptures to works on paper. Most notably the collections contain works by Vincent van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Georgia O'Keeffe and Claude Monet.
Contemporary Art: The contemporary art collection is one of the museum's major holdings. It encompasses painting, sculpture, works off-paper, media-based works and installations.
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/DMA-dallas-museum-of-art-Spanish-Art-Collection-1T8A9455.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=56.61%2035.35&q=80&w=320&s=2c72f3f729d0ad17ee09c7b8ecbd84bc 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/DMA-dallas-museum-of-art-Spanish-Art-Collection-1T8A9455.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=56.61%2035.35&q=80&w=540&s=4850a599012e3a8bcb5e1cf406d098db 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/DMA-dallas-museum-of-art-Spanish-Art-Collection-1T8A9455.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=56.61%2035.35&q=80&w=768&s=073130ba432fc8f0f186122abce35011 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/DMA-dallas-museum-of-art-Spanish-Art-Collection-1T8A9455.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=56.61%2035.35&q=80&w=1024&s=b3091f1ef93d6ae93ff0b44259c31cc9 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/DMA-dallas-museum-of-art-Spanish-Art-Collection-1T8A9455.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=56.61%2035.35&q=80&w=1200&s=5d95c79c2381105a20ba7cbad0afc4c7 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/DMA-dallas-museum-of-art-Spanish-Art-Collection-1T8A9455.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=56.61%2035.35&q=80&w=1440&s=bbcf503ee9fe0aa69d0001d2f71b4ae4 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/DMA-dallas-museum-of-art-Spanish-Art-Collection-1T8A9455.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=56.61%2035.35&q=80&w=1920&s=1993ae74489c94b04e342aff15681588 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/DMA-dallas-museum-of-art-Spanish-Art-Collection-1T8A9455.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=56.61%2035.35&q=80&w=2560&s=f1e6d569670e5a589a8b98935989906e 2400w)
Community Events
The museum hosts an ever-changing slew of classes, workshops, films, lectures and concerts for kids, adults and families.
Arts and Letters Live: This literary and performing arts series is for all ages. The series combines literature with visual arts, music and film. The works are inspired by the museum's art collections and special exhibitions.
Talks and Tours: The array of talks and tours explores art from around the world with distinguished artists, scholars and artistic leaders.
Pop of Art: Each month the museum hosts an unexpected look at the museum's collection with a pop culture twist.
Make and Take: A monthly causal arts-making series for adults that allows visitors to explore their creativity while highlighting a work of art in the museum's collection.
![A glowing modern art installation at the Dallas Museum of Art in Dallas, TX.](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-For-a-Dreamer-of-Houses.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5a037789d09b5177c789b149bad1e8b4 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-For-a-Dreamer-of-Houses.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=11f6bb516162ec00b6fa0604eab9b510 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-For-a-Dreamer-of-Houses.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=df0a5c3e51f50e37dce332ff81d49320 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-For-a-Dreamer-of-Houses.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=8c2258f5dea078c5c1aa459a35302e27 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-For-a-Dreamer-of-Houses.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=eef7e3a4a1f0bf1dd3d50458e4f6d7fc 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-For-a-Dreamer-of-Houses.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=942c17008a1813a2ec84b407595a4d7a 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-For-a-Dreamer-of-Houses.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=117e974f243f771e8d427ce52c8b2ae0 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-For-a-Dreamer-of-Houses.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=1a37dddb9dff96b82177c90222e82084 2400w)
Dining
You can easily spend all day at the Dallas Museum of Art. If you do so, you will probably need a midday snack. The DMA Cafe offers farm-fresh selections made from locally grown produce. The menu includes light options such as a Quinoa Bowl and Southwest Caesar Salad as well as heartier options like the All-American Cheeseburger. The cafe also serves a selection of regional wines and beers. The DMA Cafe is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
![A contemporary sculpture on the grounds of the Dallas Museum of Art in Dallas, TX.](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-Exterior-Photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=50b91a5295cbfbb843cca4cc815d7863 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-Exterior-Photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=6e9395b4b4a787908b0bfc9bd3e0dd55 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-Exterior-Photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f39043290cefd24ac024e5a67a6163c6 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Dallas-Museum-of-Art-Exterior-Photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6c41e1cdb4a42856391b11c691bfba57 1024w)
Visiting
General admission to the museum is free, however, visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets online in advance. General admission tickets include the museum's collection galleries and most exhibits. Special exhibitions might require a paid ticket. The museum is closed on Mondays. It is open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily except for Fridays when it is opened until 9:00 p.m.