A Complete Guide To The NC Museum of Art (Raleigh’s Best Art Museum)

Everyone raves about the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) and how it ranks as one of the best free museums in the city, but I was skeptical. As a lifelong global traveler and professional travel blogger, I’ve heard the word “world-class” get thrown around like wine in a sommelier’s glass – rarely does the experience live up to the superlative label.

We’ve been to enough art museums around the USA and overseas that when we visit museums, we often come away with a feeling of “just another art museum” nonchalance. This was not the case with the NC Museum of Art, located on Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh. As soon as I walked towards the striking glass-walled West Gallery, that eye-rolling attitude was gone, and I discovered the true meaning of “world-class.”

History of The NC Museum of Art

The NC Museum of Art is one of the top museums in Raleigh. It first began in 1924 when the NC Art Society was created to spark an interest in art in the state, though it wasn’t until 1947 that it was given a lump sum of $1 million of state funds to build its art collection. It began by purchasing 139 European and American paintings and sculptures. In 1952, the museum had curated more than 158 paintings, 2 sculptures, and 25 pieces of decorative objects.

It was the first art museum in the country established with public funds, and so was dubbed “Miracle on Morgan Street,” with the opening of its first location in a renovated office building on Morgan Street in 1956. This miracle grew to a new (and current) 181,000-square-foot location in the East Building in 1983, which was designed by Edward Durell Stone.

Its collection spans further than North Carolina. Within the museum’s collections are pieces of funerary art from Ancient Egypt, 71 Renaissance paintings, sculptures from Ancient Greece and Rome, contemporary photographs, and, in 2023, it added its first Picasso piece – “Seated Woman, Red and Yellow Background.”

The North Carolina Museum of Art boasts a permanent collection of 4,353 objects and pieces of art that covers over 5,000 years of art history, making it a leading institution for art in the southeastern United States. In 2010, the West Building opened to accommodate the Art Museum’s growing permanent collection. The expansion continued with the 164-acre Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, said to be the largest museum art park in the country, drawing in 150,000 annual visits from art, nature, and recreation lovers. 

It has also been noted for its commitment to supporting emerging and diverse artists, and holds a collection of African artwork, ancient American, and Jewish antiquities. In 2023, the museum won the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion (DEAI) Award in honor of its commitment to offering culturally rich programs for visitors. As well as showcasing monumental public art installations, the NC Museum of Art also has concerts, performances, workshops, and educational programs. See their events calendar.

What To See At The North Carolina Art Museum

If you thought you were going to any other art museum to look at some paintings, then think again. There is so much to see inside (and outside) of the NC Museum of Art, and it’s not just the pieces inside. Here are some unmissable things to see in the art museum.

The West Building and The People’s Collection

I think one of the reasons I can be uninspired by art museums is the stuffy, dimly lit rooms in which the pieces can be on display. It just doesn’t enliven my spirit. The exterior of the West Building is 50% glass, which allows for natural light to brighten up the 127,000-square-foot gallery space and the pieces on display. 

It’s not just attention to detail that makes the building stand out, but its sustainable design by New York architects Thomas Phifer and Partners. It has controlled stormwater runoff, enhanced energy efficiency, climate-control systems, and responsible landscaping practices. It was the West Building that made me a raving fan, and I wanted to know who was responsible for curating and displaying the art in the way that it was. 

Surrounding the art gallery are landscaped sculpture gardens and reflecting pools designed to complement the Museum sculpture park and show the important connection between art and nature. 

The West Gallery was built to specifically house the people’s art collection. The state’s art collection includes more than 4,200 objects and spans more than 5,000 years. For many, one of the highlights of the museum is its collection of European art, which includes works by some of the most renowned artists of the past several centuries – master painters such as Monet and Picasso, as well as sculptures by Rodin and other great sculptors. In addition to European art, the museum has a strong collection of American art, including works by artists such as Marsden Hartley and Georgia O’Keeffe.

There are galleries also devoted to African, Ancient American, Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Greek, Italian and Roman, American to 1901 and European to 1910, Rodin, and Jewish ceremonial art – one of only two permanent displays of Jewish art in an American art museum. 

In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing art from around the world.

The gallery is divided into rooms that tell the different stories of each era or theme. The pieces are beautifully displayed with thought to color, space, and light. I even enjoyed looking at the older gold-framed pieces of European art that normally make me sprint on by. The fun textured wallpaper displays and interactive stations invited me to pause and appreciate.

Within the galleries is a wonderful mix of modern and old art, paintings, sculptures, marble statues, and even Egyptian sarcophagi. The kids and I were engaged and curious about the pieces. Stopping to watch the short film on how one of the art pieces created music. I thought it was a great addition to help understand the piece since you couldn’t touch the original piece to make music yourself.

There were many pieces that sparked conversation, but one I kept returning to, which made the girls giggle – “Why are all the marble statues of men castrated? Did someone steal them, or were they banned by society like so many books in schools seem to be these days?”

Pay attention as you walk around, as there are many interactive stations that include games, audio-visual representations, and map projections, all of which help you further understand and experience the artwork. It’s especially engaging for kids.

East Building

While the West Building is all the glamor, don’t ignore the East Museum for its outstanding exhibitions. Since the West holds the permanent People’s Collection, the East Building has more temporary exhibitions. Galleries line the walls of space, and again, you’ll find a fascinating mix of art, focusing more on contemporary and mixed media on this side. The East Building also has a cafe and a small portion of the People’s Collection on Level A. The cafe is currently closed for renovations.

It was here that I found my favorite piece in the whole museum, the Light of Life by Yayoi Kusama. You step up to the viewing hole in the nondescript hexagon-shaped box to look upon a kaleidoscopic world of infinite space created by the shifting colors of light and patterns created by the mirrors and LED lights. 

This exhibition has closed now, but you will find a collection of rotating exhibitions in this building. Typically, exhibitions will be on display for six months before the next one takes over, and they have around four temporary exhibits on at a time. Check the website to see what temporary exhibitions are on during your visit.

In June 2017, the Museum opened an expanded African Gallery in the East Building, where visitors can explore African creativity spanning 16 centuries.

North Carolina Museum of Art Park (Ann & Jim Goodnight Park)

The Ann and Jim Goodnight Park is a favorite place for us to visit to take a walk while enjoying more than a dozen stunning commissioned sculptures along the trail. The trails take you past the sculptures, a terraced pond (a key element of the storm-management system), the galleries, and the ellipse, which is the lawn overlooking the rolling meadow – perfect for picnics.

Don’t miss the Mirror Labyrinth by Danish artist Jeppe Hein on the path down to the galleries. It’s a fun place to weave around mirrored pillars – especially for kids. It’s formed with varying heights of mirrored posts, which seem to blend in with the surrounding landscape of trees and grass, which you get to immerse in while walking around it. 

The rings of the NCMA’s Gyre by Thomas Sayre are one of the most iconic sculptures in the park. These three ellipses are 3D pieces sculptured directly in the earth. I also love the colorful and patterned Wind Sculpture II by Yinka Shonibare, CBE (born in London to Nigerian parents). Altogether, there are 4.7 miles of trails for cycling, walking, and running that connect to Raleigh’s 100+ miles of the Capital Area Greenway system. Some trails are closed during renovations, particularly the Blue Trail, so it’s a good idea to check the website before visiting. The park also has some of the best sunset views in Raleigh.

You can see our video of the NC Museum Sculpture Park here…

The Art to Heart Trail

We love biking the Art to Heart Trail, which is a point-to-point trail that connects the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) to the heart of Downtown Raleigh. During the summer, the sunflower field at the Art Museum Park is just like the museum, colorful, bright, and joyful.

Watch our video of our experience riding the Art to Heart Trail here…

Joseph M. Bryan Jr., Theater

During the warmer months, the outdoor 500-seat Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Theater usually holds regular events like movie nights and live music, however while refurbishments are underway, the theater won’t be hosting outdoor concerts or films, but there may still be concerts and films in the galleries and park.

Annual Exhibitions & Events

As well as the permanent collection, the NC Museum of Art also has special ticketed temporary exhibitions. Last time we visited, there was a special exhibition called A Modern Vision: European Masterworks from The Phillips Collection, which featured more than 50 paintings by iconic artists including Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Paul Cézanne.

Sadly, that exhibit is now closed, but you will find most of the museum’s special exhibits feature world-renowned artists and famous works of art, so it’s always a good idea to check this page to see what is on now, and what is coming! The museum also offers a variety of educational programs, rotating exhibits, and events for visitors of all ages, including lectures, tours, and workshops. 

Art in Bloom

The most popular event held annually at the NC Museum of Art is the Art in Bloom Festival, which takes place in March and usually lasts for about a week. The event features floral designs interpreting works of art in the Museum collection through floral displays. Each year, the event hosts over 400 floral installations by 200 local artists, and is attended by over 130,000 people. All funds raised go towards funding the Museum’s public programming, annual exhibitions, and the NCMA Foundation, Inc.

African American Cultural Celebration

Another annual event that the NC Museum of Art hosts is the African American Cultural Celebration, which takes place every year in January and February to celebrate Black History Month. Throughout the months, the museum hosts seminars and talks, as well as activities and exhibitions within the museum grounds, that explore Black history concepts and culture. It’s an event that brings together members of the African American community, from authors, artists, musicians, scholars, and more. See more information here.

Facilities at NC Museum of Art

The NC Museum of Art has a range of facilities to make a visit comfortable and easy for tourists. It boasts:

• An accessible drop-off area and accessible parking
• Drinking fountains
• Accessible restrooms
• An amphitheater that hosts live music concerts and movies
• Elevators
• Free motorized and manual wheelchairs for visitors (can be reserved at the ticket desk)
• Automatic doors
• Docent-led adult tours in ASL
• Assisted Listening Devices
• A museum store

Dine at the NCMA Café

We had lunch at the NCMA Café in the West Gallery on its second day of opening back in 2023. In keeping with the ambiance of the gallery, the space was light, refreshing, and adorned with a gigantic artwork woven on the wall with branches. The menu has an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients and includes unique dishes that are inspired by the latest exhibition and the People’s Collection.

Craig had the chicken leg quarter roasted with apple cider glaze, garnished with cranberry apple chutney, and served with sautéed collard greens. While a tad dry, I thought my coffee-braised short ribs served over creamy yellow grits with sriracha-spiced caramel corn garnish was innovative and tasty. Lattes weirdly came in a 16-ounce glass, which made it stronger on milk than coffee. A traditional 12-ounce would have been better.

Savannah’s kids’ chicken tenders were huge, and almost every menu item was (or could be adapted) gluten-free. Thank you for that! The East Building also has the East Cafe and features artful bites, salads, sandwiches, and entrées, crafted coffees, signature drinks, and more, but it’s closed during renovations.

How to get to the NC Museum of Art

The Museum is located at 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, near the intersection of Wade Avenue and Interstate 40. It is a 15-minute drive from downtown Raleigh, 16-minutes from RDU airport, and a 20 to 30-minute drive from the nearby university towns of Durham and Chapel Hill. 

What are the museum’s opening hours?

• The NC Museum of Art is open from 10am–5pm, Tuesday-Sunday.
• The East Building is open until 9 pm on Fridays during ticketed special exhibitions.
• The Museum is closed on Mondays and public holidays.
• The Museum Park is open daily, including holidays, from dawn to dusk.

Watch Our NC Art Museum Video

Want to know what it’s like to experience the NC Museum of Art? Here’s a video of our experience…

FAQs about the North Carolina Museum of Art

Here’s what people usually ask us about visiting the NC Art Museum

Where to stay near the NC Museum of Art

If you’re visiting from outside of Raleigh, there are plenty of places to stay near the museum. For a hotel stay that feels more natural, like the NCMA experience, consider:

• The 5-Star Umstead Hotel & Spa – Ultimate luxury surrounded by 12 acres of wooded land, gardens and lake. (10 min drive)
• StateView Hotel on Lake Raleigh (read our review here). We love this hotel on NC State University’s Centennial Campus – forest serenity close to downtown Raleigh (17 min drive to NCMA).

Here are some more options:

• Four Points by Sheraton Raleigh Arena (8 min drive)
• Hyatt Place Raleigh Cary (11 min drive)
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle (11 min drive)
• The Mayton, Cary (14 min drive)
• Aloft, Raleigh (12 min drive

For downtown Raleigh hotels, check out this list. And for hotels near Raleigh Airport, check these. You can also use the map below to help you search.

Is the North Carolina Museum of Art worth visiting?

I’d always had an inkling that the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh may be a little special, given its beautiful 164-acre park and sculpture garden, which we have experienced several times. Craig and I walked away saying, “Now this is Raleigh’s best foot forward“. The amazing art pieces, the careful curation of installations, the innovative architecture, the commitment to inclusion, and the sheer diversity of its collection are just some reasons why the NC Museum of Art is worth visiting. Not to mention the delicious cafe food, which offers contemporary American cuisine.

This free museum of art is something I believe art and culture lovers would come to Raleigh just to visit, which is why it’s listed as one of the top Raleigh attractions. It will now be top of our list when family and friends come to Raleigh, particularly since it has so many great community events to make use of its beautiful outdoor spaces that showcase Raleigh’s cultural lifestyle. 

I will admit that we’ve been warmed up to the world of art galleries and museums a little more since we moved to Raleigh. Craig and I found ourselves enjoying perusing the art in downtown Raleigh on First Fridays, and it soon became a date idea we started to love. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out or a date idea, the North Carolina Museum of Art is definitely worth a visit. You can see more art museums and galleries in Raleigh and art galleries in the Hillsborough St District.

• Website: NCArtMuseum.org
• Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh