Birmingham Museum of Art: A Cultural Cornerstone
Explore 27,000+ artworks spanning cultures & centuries at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Free admission, a cultural gem in the heart of Alabama.
The Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA), the largest municipal art museum in the Southeast, has been a cornerstone of Birmingham's cultural landscape since its founding in 1951. Its roots trace back to the Birmingham Art Club, established in 1908, which sought to create a public art collection for the city. The museum's present building, erected in 1959 and renovated in 1993, encompasses 180,000 square feet, including a sculpture garden. The BMA's collection includes more than 27,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts. The museum showcases a rich panorama of cultures, with extensive holdings of Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American art. Highlights include the Asian art collection, considered the finest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, and the Vietnamese ceramics collection. The Kress collection features Renaissance and Baroque paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The museum also boasts a world-renowned Wedgwood collection, the largest outside of England. The BMA is committed to collecting and exhibiting the art of Alabama, showcasing works by significant Alabama artists and a collection of folk art. The museum also houses the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found. The Birmingham Museum of Art is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, offering free admission to its permanent collections. Special exhibitions and events may have associated fees.
Local tips
- Visit during weekdays for a less crowded experience.
- Check the museum's website for information on current exhibitions, events, and public programs.
- Take advantage of the free admission to explore the museum's diverse collections.
- Explore the outdoor sculpture garden for a relaxing break.
A brief summary to Birmingham Museum of Art
- 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, Central City, Alabama, 35203, US
- +1205-254-2565
- Visit website
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 12 pm-5 pm
Getting There
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Walking
From the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), walk south on Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd toward 9th Ave N. Turn left onto 8th Ave N, also known as Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. The museum will be on your left. This is a walk of approximately 10 minutes. There are no fees associated with walking.
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Public Transport
The Birmingham Museum of Art is easily accessible by bus. Several bus routes serve the city center. From the Birmingham Intermodal Terminal, a five-minute drive from the museum, you can take a bus to a stop near the museum. Check the local transit website for the most up-to-date routes and schedules. A single ride fare is approximately $1.25.
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Ride Share
Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft provide a convenient way to reach the Birmingham Museum of Art. Ask your driver to follow in-app directions to the museum's main entrance on Rev Abraham Woods Jr Blvd. From downtown Birmingham, a ride typically costs between $8 and $12, depending on traffic and demand.
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Parking
Free parking is available in the Museum's lot, located behind the Museum off Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard. Additional parking is available in nearby Boutwell Auditorium Parking Deck and metered street parking. The closest car park is Town Hall Car Park which is 5 minutes walk from the museum. It is operated by Birmingham City Council and is open 24 hours per day, every day except Christmas Day. Charges apply. Blue Badge parking is free with no time limits.
Attractions Nearby to Birmingham Museum of Art
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Birmingham Civil Rights District
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Kelly Ingram Park
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Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park
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Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
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Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
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McWane Science Center
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Heaviest Corner On Earth
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“Before I die” wall
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Railroad Park Foundation
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Negro Southern League Museum
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Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
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Locked In: The Birmingham Escape Game
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Samuel Ullman Museum
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Avondale Park
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Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens
Landmarks nearby to Birmingham Museum of Art
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Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
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Civil Rights Freedom Riders Marker
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Historic 4th Avenue Business District
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The Woodward Building
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Alabama Peanut Co.
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Dread River Distilling Company
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Five Points South Historical Marker
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Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’ Marker
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The Jordan Home (Dr. Mortimer Jordan)
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The Historic Bethel Baptist Church
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Avondale Park Historic District
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HIGHLAND HISTORIC DISTRICT
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The Old Mill
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Oldest house in Shades Valley/Irondale Furnace Commissary
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Pratt City Carline Historic District