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Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art: Auburn's Cultural Gem

Discover a world of art at Auburn University's Jule Collins Smith Museum, featuring diverse collections and engaging exhibitions.

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The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University houses a diverse collection of art from the 19th and 20th centuries, with rotating exhibitions in a striking modernist building. It offers a rich cultural experience for the Auburn community and visitors alike.

A brief summary to The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website for upcoming events and exhibitions to plan your visit [11].
  • Take advantage of the free admission to explore the museum's diverse collections [4].
  • Visit the museum shop for unique souvenirs and art-related gifts [3, 10].
  • Explore the outdoor grounds and walking paths to enjoy the museum's sculpture collection and landscaped gardens [3, 7, 10].
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the central part of Auburn University's campus, head south along South College Street [6]. The museum is located at 901 S College St, at the intersection of South College Street and Woodfield Drive [6, 8]. The walk is straightforward and takes about 15-20 minutes from the heart of campus.

  • Public Transport

    The Fine Arts Line (Plum) of the Tiger Transit serves stops between The Jule and the Mell Street Station [6, 12]. Stops include The Jule, the Gogue Performing Arts Center, South Donahue Drive at Woodfield Drive, Lem Morrison Drive at Donahue Drive and Mell Street Station [6]. The Tiger Transit bus route runs continuously (every 15 - 20 minutes) [9]. This service is free [3].

  • Driving

    From downtown Auburn, head south on College Street [6]. The museum is located at 901 S College St, at the intersection of South College Street and Woodfield Drive [6, 8]. Visitor parking is available on the North and East sides of the building [6]. On Football Saturdays, the museum lot is shared with Game Day Parking Services; enter from Woodfield Drive and inform the parking attendant you are visiting the museum [6]. Parking fees may apply [11, 13].

  • Rideshare

    Use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Simply open the app, enter 'The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art' or the address '901 S College St, Auburn, AL 36849' as your destination, and request a ride [11]. The cost will vary depending on your pick-up location and the time of day. A ride from the Auburn bus station, approximately 2 miles away, could range from $10 to $15 [8].

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Discover more about The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, located on the Auburn University campus, is a vibrant center for visual arts and cultural enrichment [2, 3]. Named after Jule Collins Smith, the museum opened in 2003 and has become a cornerstone of the arts in Alabama [5, 10]. The museum's striking modernist building houses six galleries, an auditorium, a café, and a museum shop [7, 10]. The grounds feature landscaped walking paths and outdoor sculptures, inviting visitors to explore art both indoors and out [3, 7, 10]. The museum's permanent collection focuses primarily on 19th and 20th-century American and European art [5, 10]. Highlights include the Advancing American Art collection, featuring works by artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe and Jacob Lawrence, and the Bill L. Harbert Collection of European Art, which includes pieces by masters like Picasso and Renoir [5]. The Louise Hauss and David Brent Miller Audubon Collection showcases prints by naturalist John James Audubon [5, 10]. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, ensuring there's always something new to discover [8]. The museum's origins trace back to Auburn University's purchase of 36 works from the U.S. State Department's Advancing American Art exhibition in 1948 [7, 14]. This acquisition, which included works by women, immigrants, and artists of color, laid the foundation for the museum's commitment to diversity and cultural narrative [7]. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, a distinction held by only a small percentage of museums nationwide [3, 5, 10]. Admission is free, making it accessible to all [4].

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