Speed Art Museum

Great art museum with a great variety of genres. However, I was disappointed by the exhibit “Otherworldly Journeys - The Fantastical Worlds of Bosch and Bruegel.” I feel like it was not sufficiently clear in the advertisement and descriptions that there actually zero works done directly by either Bosch or Bruegel. These were only print works inspired by them. Now, for what it actually was, it was wonderful and amazing. However, I had my hopes up to see a collection of the original artists’ work. In the advertisement, there is only a few sentences at the very end clarifying this. If I wasn’t so disappointed not to find any Bosch or Bruegel directly, I would give this five stars, six if I could!

What an incredible experience! We especially loved the Art Sparks for family interaction time. The kids did the best they could tagging along with Mom and Dad as we explored through the European and Dutch Masters in the upstairs galleries, and down through the contemporary and African art sections. When they'd finally had their fill of art they didn't quite understand, the Art Sparks area was the perfect way to end their visit to the Speed. The kids had fun building sculptures and exploring light and color theory in practice. We especially enjoyed seeing the Plensa out front, and the incredible open space near the front entrance where glass and crystal artworks were displayed in the sunlit atrium. What a wonderful event space! We traveled all the way from St Louis to visit the Speed, and unfortunately only got about 45 minutes at the end of the day to view as much of the collection and exhibitions as we could. We'll definitely be back !

Visiting the Speed Art Museum was an absolutely phenomenal experience from start to finish! Whether you are a seasoned art aficionado or just looking for an inspiring way to spend an afternoon, this museum is a spectacular destination that completely exceeds expectations. The architecture of the building itself is a masterpiece, beautifully blending classic design with stunning modern elements. Inside, the galleries are incredibly spacious, well-lit, and thoughtfully curated. The museum boasts an impressive and diverse collection that spans thousands of years, featuring everything from breathtaking classical antiquities and traditional masterworks to thought-provoking contemporary art and cutting-edge multimedia installations. There is truly something here to captivate every unique taste. What makes this museum stand out is how accessible and engaging it is. The layout is highly intuitive, making it a joy to explore at your own pace. They also feature wonderful interactive spaces and family-friendly areas that make art exciting for younger visitors. The staff and docents are remarkably welcoming, knowledgeable, and passionate, always ready to share fascinating insights about the exhibits. In addition to the permanent collection, their rotating exhibitions are top-tier, ensuring that every single visit feels fresh and exciting. It is a true cultural cornerstone and a peaceful, enriching escape. I cannot recommend the Speed Art Museum highly enough—it is an absolute must-visit!

I am a supporter of the arts and went to see the Bosch exhibit. However, it's a bit misleading because there were no actual original Bosch pieces, only "artists inspired by Bosch". I think they misrepresented the exhibit. Enjoyed our time there despite the disappointment that there was no Bosch artwork.

Really outstanding. Beautiful building, and a great variety of fantastic exhibitions. Free Sundays, I was told.

I went to the Brilliant Blooms event and had such a wonderful time. The art museum really put a lot of effort into this event, there were drinks, live jazz music, a bouquet bar and of course the beautiful displays created by local florists. This event was affordable and I LOVED that they gave local florists an opportunity to show their work. One of my favorite aspects was that you really could smell the flowers and it looked like they curated each piece to fit with the art in the room. Would definitely go back and definitely recommend.

The Speed Art Museum is fantastic. We visited on a Sunday and it turns out there is no admission charge on Sunday. There is also a parking garage right next to the museum making parking easy. We took the free tour and our guides were extremely knowledgeable. If you can, take the tour, you'll learn and see so much. There is also a small Cafe which was reasonably priced. Overall a perfect Sunday.

Love the architecture. This museum is around U of Louisville so went on a weekday during winter break. Fridays have a children’s day, but planned to go right when it opened, to bet the rush. Great special exhibits and solid permanent pieces. Definitely plan to go back.