Denver'south art scene may skew contemporary, merely at our art museums, you'll detect everything from 19th century Western paintings to modern sculptures to works inspired past social justice. And with constantly rotating exhibitions, there's always something new to discover. Here'south the lowdown on vii of the urban center's most prominent art museums—including some secrets even longtime members may non know—plus, some artsy destinations to visit beyond the state.

American Museum of Western Art

William Jacob Hays' "The Gathering of the Herds," 1866; photo courtesy of the American Museum of Western Art—the Anschutz Collection

One of downtown Denver's subconscious gems, the nonprofit American Museum of Western Art, which opened to the public in 2012, houses the Anschutz Collection: more than than 350 works depicting the American West from the 1820s to nowadays day. These masterpieces—nearly of which are paintings in gilded frames—are presented salon manner across three floors of the celebrated Navarre Edifice, which was built in 1880 and has a unique history of its own. The venue is only open up Mondays and Wednesdays, and general admission costs just $5. (Guided tours are available at 10 a.m. and ane p.m. for $10.)

"The more than time you spend here, the more you see." —Kristin Fong, guests services and museum educator

Don't Miss: Visit the parlors at the front of each flooring, which have been furnished with period-appropriate furniture, rugs, and more (ignore the modern elevator), and offer a reminder of the building'due south history. In the 2d-flooring parlor, look for the portrait of George Washington; it was painted circa 1823 and is the museum'due south oldest conquering.
Did Y'all Know: The museum teams up with Lighthouse Writers Workshop for monthly "Writing the West" events ($5). Instructors provide Western-themed writing prompts, and attendees are able to explore the museum, searching for inspiration for their writing.

1727 Tremont Place, anschutzcollection.org


Clyfford Nevertheless Museum

A pick of Clyfford Still's works on display; photo by Raul Garcia, courtesy of the Clyfford Still Museum

The only museum in town dedicated to the work of a single creative person, the Clyfford All the same Museum brought national—and international—attention to Denver'due south arts scene when it opened v years ago. Walking through the lite-filled galleries, visitors are afforded a unique opportunity to study 1 of the nearly talented but relatively unknown abstract expressionist painters of the 20th century and watch his style evolve over fourth dimension.

"More than money or fame or adulation or respect, Clyfford Still wanted his work to be seen and felt… [he] said his paintings were life itself, his life, on canvas." —Excerpt from "Clyfford All the same's Unyielding Will," 5280, November 2011

Did You Know: Over the by five years, CSM has exhibited approximately 280 paintings—which amounts to simply 33 per centum of the paintings known to exist in its collections.

1250 Bannock St., clyffordstillmuseum.org


Denver Art Museum

The DAM'southward African gallery; photo courtesy of the Denver Art Museum

The DAM, as locals telephone call information technology, is an "encyclopedic museum," pregnant it focuses on many different types of fine art to help promote understanding and spark creativity. A recently hired cloth fine art and fashion curator besides ways visitors can await more than manner-related exhibitions in the future.

"We have some of the best collections in the whole state when information technology comes to sure types of [art, such as] pre-Colombian and Spanish colonial." —Shadia Lemus, communications manager

Did You lot Know: You lot can find kids' activities—many of which are hands-on—on every floor of the museum, including in the permanent collections. Y'all tin also pick up a family unit backpack full of games, puzzles, and art-making tools to give kids with a new way to feel the museum.

100 Westward. 14th Ave. Parkway, denverartmuseum.org


Denver Botanic Gardens

Art and nature become one in Barry Flanagan's "Hare on Bell on Portland Rock Piers," 1983; photograph courtesy of the Denver Botanic Gardens

Sure, you visit the Botanic Gardens to smell the sweetly scented flowers, to get ideas for a sturdy Colorado garden, and to bask Blossoms of Calorie-free, just the venue is also an accredited museum (the plants are considered a "living drove"). Since 2006, information technology'southward been abode to outdoor sculptures—both permanent and traveling exhibits—and two indoor galleries that host pocket-sized shows of local and regional artists, including by students at the Gardens' School of Botanical Fine art & Illustration. So, yes, fifty-fifty in the winter, a visit to the Gardens should be on your agenda.

"A lot of people…see the plants as fine art and nature every bit art because they're just and so whimsical and hitting. They feel it as this art experience…even if there's not a traditional work of fine art before them." —Erin Bird, communications director

Did You Know: The Gardens offering myriad classes, including cooking, garden teaching, and even trips. Discover out what's coming up here.

1007 York St., botanicgardens.org


Mizel Museum

Noah'due south Ark, created by Colorado artist Scott Lyon for the Mizel Museum's permanent "Gathering Sparks" exhibit; photo courtesy of the Mizel Museum

Equally museum spokesperson Melanie Avner so aptly put it, the Mizel "is non a typical museum, where people come up for the exhibit." Instead, the edifice is home to the permanent iv,000 Yr Road Trip: Gathering Sparks—a collection of installations, artifacts, and stunning artworks rooted in the Jewish feel, but intended to "spark" a broader conversation about tolerance and acceptance. Mizel also engages the community on themes such as cantankerous-cultural understanding, social justice, and Holocaust awareness through public events, school programming, and more than. The museum is open on weekdays by appointment.

"Art is a great way to brainwash considering [it has] a personal message. Nosotros tin can use art to tell a story through civilisation." —Penny Nisson, manager of didactics

Don't Miss: I of the most stirring artworks in the museum is the collection of 12 portraits of Holocaust survivors (some of whom lived locally), fatigued by Denver artist Deborah Howard. Four of her portraits are now part of the permanent collection at the Holocaust Art Museum at Yad Vashem in State of israel.
Did You Know: The Samsonite baggage company was created in Colorado past the five Shwayder brothers. Learn about them and more local history in the Jewish Colorado room toward the end of the Gathering Sparks showroom.

400 S. Kearney St., mizelmuseum.org


Museo de las Americas

Museo'due south last exhibition of the year focuses on hand-woven textiles; photo courtesy of Museo de las Americas

Museo de las Americas opened 25 years agone as a place to gloat the multifariousness of Latino Americano art, culture, and traditions—both modernistic and ancient. Museo serves as a hub to explore and meliorate our understanding of other cultures and peoples and has long been an anchoring presence in the Art District on Santa Iron. Exhibitions range from celebrations of individual artists (like final year's Jerry De La Cruz retrospective) to explorations of issues of contemporary importance (such as a study of the Chicano movement or an exhibit focused on our connection with the natural world).

"Museo plays an important office in building pride in the Latino customs's heritage and promoting understanding among cultures." —Museo's website

Don't Miss: The museum'south only permanent showroom is the orange-hued La Cocina, a replica of executive managing director Maruca Salazar's grandmother's kitchen in Mexico. Explore the folk art and serving dishes to get a feel for our southern neighbors' everyday life.

861 Santa Atomic number 26 Dr., museo.org


Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

Kim Dickey's "The Fall Set," 2000; photo courtesy of the artist

One of the goals of the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver is to create a "culturally engaged customs." And they have no trouble doing then: Betwixt diverse and e'er intriguing exhibitions, quirky programming, and an piece of cake-to-achieve modern venue in LoDo, the MCA is the place in town to discover what'southward hip and talked virtually in the contemporary art world.

"MCA Denver is an innovative forum for contemporary art that inspires and challenges all audiences, creating agreement and dialog near the art of our fourth dimension." —from MCA's curatorial statement

Did You Know: Throughout Arts Calendar week, Colorado residents can enjoy penny admission at MCA Denver. And don't forget to terminate by the museum shop, which is stocked with goodies from nigh all Colorado-based merchants and vendors.

1485 Delgany St., mcadenver.org


Bonus: 6 Route-Trip-Worthy Museums

Aspen Art Museum

The Aspen Art Museum, designed past Shigeru Ban Architects, is a piece of work of art itself; photograph courtesy of Michael Moran/OTTO

Whether yous're visiting Aspen for the skiing, the food, or chance celebrity sightings, you should brand time to visit the striking Aspen Art Museum, which opened in its new location in Baronial 2014. Deputy director John-Paul Schaefer says the venue focuses on presented work by underrepresented artists; group shows surrounding a topical political or social theme; and exhibiting works by artists in a medium that they're not known for (an exhibit a few years dorsum featured drawings by sculptors). Earlier you leave, head to the third-floor roof deck for views of Aspen Mountain and Independence Pass. Museum admission is free, courtesy of a grant past local philanthropists Amy and John Phelan.

637 Eastward. Hyman Ave., Aspen, aspenartmuseum.org

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

A scene from BMoCA'southward "Evolving Visions of State and Landscape" exhibition; photo courtesy of the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Fine art

The Boulder Museum of Gimmicky Art was founded in 1972 by a group of local artists. Besides showing "pregnant art of our fourth dimension," BMoCA has a item skill for connecting audiences with fine art and artists beyond simply viewing the work. Take Ménage à Trois, for example: The three-part plan serial is led by the exhibiting artists, and includes conversations with creatives and curators, hands-on fine art-making, and interactive experiences.

1750 13th St., Bedrock, bmoca.org

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Museum

Sculptures and floor-to-ceiling windows welcome visitors at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Middle Museum; photo courtesy of Phillip Spears

The museum (officially chosen the Taylor Museum) is simply one part of this fantastic nonprofit arts center, which opened equally the FAC in 1936 and underwent a renovation and expansion in 2007; the venue is also domicile to a professional theater and an art school. The showtime-flooring galleries feature a rotating display from the museum's permanent collection, which contains more than twenty,000 pieces. Upstairs, art seekers will notice traveling exhibitions that vary widely in theme, medium, and manner.

30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, csfineartscenter.org/museum

Loveland Museum Gallery

Salvador Dali'due south "Supremes of Piddling Malaises," 1971; photo courtesy of Castellani Art Museum

No, this isn't near the ski hill. This 79-year-old museum is located in downtown Loveland, almost ane hr due north of Denver. With a combination of art and history collections, Loveland is the merely accredited museum in northern Colorado. The site regularly showcases work by local and regional artists and is dwelling house to the almanac Governor's Art Bear witness. And we can't forget to mention that general admission is free, and it's but $5 for big-ticket exhibitions.

503 Northward. Lincoln Ave., Loveland, lovelandmuseumgallery.org

Museum of Outdoor Arts

The Museum of Outdoor Arts also has a cute indoor gallery infinite; photograph courtesy of MOA

While the Museum of Outdoor Arts does accept a substantial outdoor sculpture collection—including more than 150 works, spread throughout Englewood, Greenwood Village, and Denver—that's not all its known for. The Englewood space as well contains a more classic gallery experience. Each yr, the staff chooses an overarching theme; 2017'due south is "In Evolution." Note: The museum's Marjorie Park site—which is located on the northward side of Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre and named after Marjorie Madden, one of MOA'southward three founders—is unstaffed, only free cocky-guided walking tours are available; yous tin also call the staff ahead of time to set up a more traditional bout.

1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood, moaonline.org

Steamboat Art Museum

Steamboat Art Museum celebrates 10 years with a broad-ranging exhibition, which includes this work by Jim Norton; photograph courtesy of Steamboat Art Museum

Located in a historic building (actually, two buildings) on Steamboat'due south main elevate, the SAM's "primary focus is the culture and heritage of northwest Colorado," says executive manager Betse Grassby. Most exhibitions showcase the efforts of living artists, across various mediums. Heads up: Renovations o refurbish the dorsum part of the venue and thereby double the museum's exhibition infinite first in April of 2017. The SAM will be airtight during construction and will reopen the post-obit September.

801 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs, steamboatartmuseum.org


Program Your Visit: Many of the museums in this guide host regular free days. Check out this calendar to discover upcoming dates.