Top 17 Art Museums in Connecticut, USA

Art Galleries
Written By Sarah Ransome

Connecticut forms part of the picturesque region of New England, and offers a remarkable destination for art lovers and enthusiasts alike.

In this article I have listed the 17 best art museums in Connecticut. Connecticut's diverse art scene and art museums can be found in a whole array of locations from national historic sites to university institutions. Within these museums you will discover the vibrant world of American painting, where American impressionists' masterpieces mesmerise visitors, along with the rich cultural heritage of Connecticut and its local artists.

I have included opening times for each gallery that are correct at the time of writing this article, but please check the latest information before your visit.

If you would like to read more about other places where you can view artwork in the United States, please click here.

Table of Contents

1. Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven

2. MoCA Westport, Norwalk

3. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford

4. Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, Hartford

5. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield

6. Fairfield University Art Museum, Fairfield

7. Housatonic Museum of Art, Bridgeport

8. New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain

9. Bruce Museum, Greenwich

10. Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London

11. Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme

12. Silvermine Arts Center, New Canaan

13. William Benton Museum of Art, University of Connecticut, Storrs

14. Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Mashantucket

15. Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich

16. Mystic Museum of Art, Mystic

17. Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury

Connecticut Art Trail

1. Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven

Yale University Art Gallery is located in the heart of New Haven, Connecticut and is the oldest university art museum in the United States. The museum spans one and a half city blocks and three buildings, showcasing over 4,000 works of art.

The roots of Yale University Art Gallery can be traced back to 1832 when patriot-artist John Trumbull bestowed upon Yale College over 100 paintings depicting the American Revolution. These initial seeds of artistry blossomed into the illustrious museum that stands today. The gallery has since evolved, embracing an encyclopedic collection of art that spans all cultures and periods.

Notable Collections at Yale University Art Gallery

The Yale University Art Gallery boasts an extensive permanent collection of diverse artworks from around the world. Visitors can explore and appreciate art from different cultures, time periods, and mediums, providing a rich and educational experience.

The collection encompasses a wide range of art forms, including Tang-dynasty vessels, early Italian paintings, Borneo textiles, American art treasures, West African masks, modern and contemporary art, ancient sculptures, and masterworks by Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso.

There are different galleries arranged on different floors that offer distinctive themes, such as African Art, Art of the Ancient Americas, Ancient Art, Dura-Europos, Numismatics, American Decorative Arts before 1900, Asian Art, European Art, American Art before 1900, Indo-Pacific Art, and Modern and Contemporary Art and Design.

The museum also features a sculpture garden and a rooftop terrace for visitors to enjoy.

You can also visit the The Yale Center for British Art, which is located close-by, although please note that this art museum is currently closed for building conservation and renovation.

2. MoCA Westport, Norwalk

Formerly known as the Westport Arts Center, MoCA Westport offers contemporary visual arts exhibitions, music performances, and comprehensive arts education. This museum has served the local arts community for over 50 years.

MoCA Westport features year-round exhibitions and performances spanning visual arts to classical music, catering to art enthusiasts of all ages.

MoCA Westport has acquired the “When Caged Birds Sing” exhibition by Ann Weiner for its permanent collection. The late Ann Weiner, a long-time resident of Westport, had a significant impact on the artistic community through her art, writings, teaching, and philanthropy. ‘When Caged Birds Sing’ features eight life-size sculptures representing women's rights activists who have experienced and survived abuse.

3. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is located in the heart of Hartford, Connecticut.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is the oldest public art museum in the United States,and is a treasure trove for art enthusiasts, with an extraordinary collection spanning over 5,000 years of history, from ancient civilizations to contemporary masterpieces.

The museum's building, designed by architects Alexander Jackson Davis and Ithiel Town is known as the "castle," it stands proudly on the site of Daniel Wadsworth's family home, evoking a sense of grandeur and history. The museum's establishment in 1842 gave rise to the name "Atheneum," symbolising a cultural haven dedicated to learning and enlightenment.

Collections and Notable Works

The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art has a diverse art collection that includes:

  • European Art Collection: Discover paintings by renowned artists like Caravaggio, Claude Monet, and Salvador Dalí. There is a rich tapestry of artistic expression, from the medieval to the modern period.

  • American Art Collection: Immerse yourself in the Hudson River School paintings, which hold a prominent place in the Wadsworth Atheneum's archives. You will find landscapes by Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, that capture the beauty of the American wilderness. You will also encounter a journey through time and witness the evolution of American art, from 18th-century portraiture by Ralph Earl and John Singleton Copley to the modernist brushstrokes of Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, and Edward Hopper.

  • Contemporary Art Collection: You will also experience the vibrant energy of contemporary art from the captivating works of Thomas Cole and Frederic Church to the avant-garde visions of Salvador Dalí and Piet Mondrian.

As you wander through the galleries, prepare to be enchanted by a captivating array of paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, furniture, textiles, and photographs. Lose yourself in the intricate details of each masterpiece, immersing yourself in different cultures and time periods.

4. Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, Hartford

Hill-Stead Museum is located in a Colonial Revival house within Farmington, on the edge of Hartford. Built in 1901, this splendid Colonial Revival-style house was envisioned as a country home for Ada and Alfred Pope, parents of the pioneering female architect Theodate Pope Riddle. In 1991, Hill-Stead Museum was designated a National Historic Landmark, a testament to its cultural significance and preservation of architectural heritage.

Hill-Stead Museum has an extraordinary collection of French Impressionist masterpieces, American artists, together with English and other European artists. As you wander through the halls, you will encounter works by artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Rex Whistler, and Mary Cassatt. In addition to the Impressionist art, you will find Japanese woodblock prints, where delicate lines and vibrant colours narrate tales from the East.

5. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is located in the picturesque town of Ridgefield, Connecticut. It is a renowned institution that showcases contemporary art and offers a variety of exhibitions and programs. The museum also features a two-acre Sculpture Garden.

It was founded in 1964 by Larry Aldrich with the purpose of being one of the first truly contemporary art museums in the United States. The museum has no permanent collection and is dedicated solely to the exhibition of contemporary art. The Aldrich is one of the few independent, non-collecting contemporary art museums in the United States.

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum's ever-changing exhibitions showcase a diverse range of artists, both established and emerging. As you step into the museum's galleries, you will encounter an array of contemporary art forms, from captivating paintings and intricate sculptures to immersive installations and thought-provoking video art.

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum takes pride in presenting the first solo museum exhibitions by emerging artists. It serves as a platform for these rising talents, propelling their work into the spotlight of the contemporary art scene. Additionally, the museum commissions installations specifically tailored to its galleries, providing artists with a unique opportunity to create site-specific works that resonate with the space and engage visitors on a profound level.

6. Fairfield University Art Museum, Fairfield

The Fairfield University Art Museum is located in the scenic town of Fairfield, Connecticut. The museum has three distinct galleries in Bellarmine Hall house that covers Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Celtic, and Asian art and artifacts. The Bellarmine Hall galleries not only showcase the museum's permanent collection but also serve as spaces for rotating special exhibitions.

The permanent collection includes European and American paintings, including ten remarkable Renaissance and Baroque paintings donated by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Visitors can also explore drawings, prints, photographs, historic plaster casts, and artworks from Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

The Fairfield University Art Museum goes beyond its own collection by displaying loans from prestigious institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Yale University Art Gallery, private collections, amongst others.

For those seeking larger special exhibitions, the Walsh Gallery in the Quick Center for the Arts is a must-visit. The Walsh Gallery hosts rotating special exhibitions that offer deeper insights into specific themes or artistic movements. These exhibitions provide an opportunity to engage with thought-provoking artworks and gain a deeper appreciation for the artistic heritage.

7. Housatonic Museum of Art, Bridgeport

The Housatonic Museum of Art is situated in the Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport.

The Housatonic Museum of Art showcases its collection throughout the college campus, allowing visitors to explore art in unexpected places. However, the heart of the museum lies within the Burt Chernow Galleries, a dedicated space for both permanent and visiting exhibitions. This unique setting provides a dynamic backdrop for the incredible artworks on display.

The art collection includes artworks from Africa, Oceania and the Americas as well as renowned contemporary artists such as Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, Jenny Holzer and Felix Gonzalez-Torres. The collection also includes from artists originating from Connecticut.

8. New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain

The New Britain Museum of American Art (NBMAA) is located in New Britain, Connecticut.

The NBMAA's collection is a comprehensive representation of American art, featuring over 8,400 works, including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, videos, and photographs. The museum's extensive collection covers various artistic movements, allowing visitors to delve into the depth and diversity of American art including American Impressionism, the Hudson River School, Connecticut Landscapes, early Modernism, and contemporary art. Each movement tells a unique story and offers visitors an opportunity to appreciate the diverse range of artistic visions.

9. Bruce Museum, Greenwich

The Bruce Museum is an art museum in Greenwich, Connecticut that features both art and natural history exhibition space. The Bruce Museum is known for its commitment to providing a blend of art and science experiences to its visitors.

The Bruce Museum was founded in 1908 as the Greenwich Society of the Arts. It was later renamed in honor of Robert Moffat Bruce, a local resident and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the museum.

The Bruce Museum has permanent exhibits featuring the natural sciences from a regional and global perspective focusing on geology, paleontology, archaeology, local Native Americans, natural history, watercolors, and notebooks of Cos Cob Art Colony artists including George Wharton Edwards, Hobart Jacobs, Leonard Ochtman, and Mina Ochtman.

The Bruce Museum is renowned for its engaging exhibitions and dynamic events that cater to diverse interests and passions. With more than a dozen changing exhibitions annually, there is always something new to explore.

10. Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London

The Lyman Allyn Art Museum is located in New London, Connecticut and was founded in 1926 by Lyman Allyn's daughter, Harriet Upson Allyn.

The Lyman Allyn Art Museum houses a diverse collection of over 17,000 objects from ancient times to the present, including artworks from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The museum also has strong collections of American paintings, decorative arts, and Victorian toys and dollhouses.

The Permanent Exhibitions at Lyman Allyn Art Museum include:

  • American Perspectives: An ongoing exhibition celebrating the arts of America from colonial times through the 20th century, with an emphasis on the connections to Connecticut and New London County. This exhibition offers insights into American art history.

  • Louis Comfort Tiffany in New London: This ongoing exhibition focuses on the life and career of Louis Comfort Tiffany and explores the artist's unique connections to New London. This exhibition highlights Tiffany's work as an artist, designer, and glassmaker.

  • Playthings of the Past: This ongoing exhibition is designed for young visitors aged 3-10 and provides a hands-on play experience with toys, books, games, and dolls. The exhibition represents various cultures and historical eras.

The Lyman Allyn presents changing exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing creativity and encouraging visitors to experience art from various perspectives.

11. Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme

Florence Griswold Museum is located in the pretty town of Old Lyme, Connecticut and was once the home of Florence Griswold herself.

This historic mansion played a pivotal role as the centre of the renowned Lyme Art Colony. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, American Impressionist artists flocked to this picturesque location, seeking inspiration amidst the scenic beauty of Old Lyme. The colony's influence on American art cannot be overstated, as it propelled Impressionism into the forefront of the nation's artistic movement.

The museum's collections include American Impressionist paintings by artists such as Matilda Browne, William Chadwick, Frank Vincent DuMond, Frederick Childe Hassam, Willard Leroy Metcalf, and Henry Ward Ranger.

The museum also hosts events such as the annual Garden Luncheon. The luncheon is held in the spring and is known for its array of fancy hats.

The modern art gallery with its changing exhibitions offers a fresh perspective on American art.

Take a moment to stroll through the charming gardens and enjoy the tranquility of the riverfront along the picturesque Lieutenant River.

12. Silvermine Arts Center, New Canaan

The Silvermine Arts Center is located in New Canaan, Connecticut.

The Silvermine Arts Center was established in 1908 by Solon Borglum as a place for artists to gather. Since then, it has been a place for artists to showcase their work and for the community to engage in arts education opportunities. The center also encourages local Connecticut artists to apply to exhibit their work here.

The Silvermine Arts Center features exhibitions that cover various art forms such as painting, drawing, clay, and sculpture.

The center offers art classes, exhibitions, and opportunities for arts education for the wider community.

13. William Benton Museum of Art, University of Connecticut, Storrs

The William Benton Museum of Art is a public fine arts museum located on the University of Connecticut's main campus in Storrs, Connecticut.

The museum was established in 1967 and is named after William Benton, a prominent U.S. senator and university trustee.

The Benton houses a permanent collection of over 6,500 artistic works and offers changing exhibitions of art from the 15th to the 21st centuries from its own collection, and from loaned collections.

The museum building is designed in the Collegiate Gothic style and is one of the core campus buildings in the University of Connecticut Historic District-Connecticut Agricultural School.

14. Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Mashantucket

The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center is a museum of Native American culture located near the tribe's Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. It is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

The museum opened on August 11, 1998, and is the largest Native American museum in the world.

The museum houses exhibits that are very informative about the history of the Pequot tribe, and it has a 185 ft (56 m) observation tower that allows visitors to view the Mashantucket Pequot reservation, the casino, and surrounding areas of southeastern Connecticut.

The Mashantucket Pequot Museum has a number of permanent exhibits, that include:

  • Arrival of the People - This exhibit explains the Native peoples of North America’s creation stories through contemporary works of art. Complementing the artwork, an adjacent mini–theater shows storytellers relating parts of their own creation stories in their Native languages.

  • Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Today & A Tribal Portrait Gallery - This exhibit provides an opportunity to learn about the contemporary Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation through photographs, artifacts, maps, and a topographical model of the reservation. The photographs include large black–and–white portraits of individual tribal members and families taken by Kwagiutl photographer David Neel.

15. Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich

The Slater Memorial Museum is located on the campus of Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, Connecticut.

John Fox Slater was the son of William A. Slater, who had endowed the Norwich Free Academy. John Fox Slater presented the Slater Memorial Museum to the Norwich Free Academy in memory of his father. The museum was dedicated in 1886 and is designed in Richardsonian Romanesque architecture by Stephen C. Earle.

The museum features art from across the world. It includes a gypsotheque, a collection of plaster casts of famous Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Renaissance statues. It also exhibits colonial and local historic artifacts, as well as 18th-to-20th-century American paintings and decorative arts, 17th-to-19th-century European paintings and decorative arts, African and Oceanic sculptures, and Native American objects. The adjacent Converse Art Gallery hosts six changing exhibitions.

The Slater Memorial Museum's local collection represents 300 years of Norwich history.

16. Mystic Museum of Art, Mystic

The Mystic Museum of Art is a museum of American art located in Mystic, Connecticut.

It was founded by the Mystic Art Association, an organisation of artists who painted in the seacoast town, in 1913. The Mystic Arts Center was opened in 1931 as an exhibition space and museum. The Mystic Arts Center was renamed Mystic Museum of Art in 2016.

The museum's permanent collection features works by Charles H. Davis, Robert Brackman, Yngve Edward Soderberg, J. Alden Weir, Charles Herbert Woodbury, and many others.

17. Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury

CC Image courtesy of David Macharelli, Wikimedia Commons

The Mattatuck Museum is a cultural institution based in Waterbury, Connecticut. It was established as the Mattatuck Historical Society in 1877 to preserve the history of that part of Connecticut "anciently known as Mattatuck".

The museum's displays include the history, industries, and culture of Waterbury and the Central Naugatuck Valley area, and art, including works about the state's history, people and scenery, and works of artists from Connecticut.

The museum also features a collection of 15,000 buttons from around the world.

The Mattatuck Museum collects and exhibits American art and cultural history – with a strong core of Naugatuck Valley history and Connecticut artists. Its collection spans the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, and the artists represented in the museum's collection include Paolo Abbate, Abe Ajay, Alexander Calder, Frederic Church, Erastus Salisbury Field, and many others.

The museum also presents more than 12 changing exhibitions every year featuring significant artists of the past as well as contemporary artists. The changing exhibits highlight the diversity of the community, address issues of contemporary society, present the work of emerging artists and feature blockbuster shows of internationally renowned artists.

The museum also has a button gallery displaying 10,000 miniature works of art collected from around the world and donated to the museum.

Connecticut Art Trail

The Connecticut Art Trail is a collection of 23 world-class museums, nature centres, and historic sites.

It was launched in 1995 as the Connecticut Impressionist Art Trail, focusing on American Impressionism and celebrating the state's role in its founding. The Trail expanded its scope in 2005 to include more museums and historic sites, showcasing the diverse collections within the state.

Travellers can explore bucolic farms, art studios, artists' boarding houses, and modern art museums in vibrant downtowns.

The exhibitions feature European masterpieces, American Impressionism, ancient art, and contemporary culture. Visitors can also enjoy ground-breaking installations, workshops, classes, curated experiences, and events with art world luminaries.

Family activities include hands-on art and nature exploration programs, themed events, and seasonal festivals.

The Art Passport-Journal is available for $35, providing free access to member museums for one year.

I hope you have found my list of museums and galleries in Connecticut useful. If you have visited any of these places, I would love to hear your thoughts or if you feel one of your favourites is missing from the list, please email me and let me know at sarahransomeart@gmail.com.

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Hi, I'm Sarah, I sell my artwork through my Art Store. I draw inspiration from my travels and personal experiences, and I believe in the healing power of art and its ability to bring people together.

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