Art is what keeps the human race stay alive. Robin William’s beloved movie character, John Keating, has beautifully said that “…human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”
Humanities such as Literature, more so, Visual Arts are often looked down upon as a choice for a college degree. The popular opinion–that there is no financial gain and stability in such fields–continues to be the point of contention. If Fine Arts is your true passion and you are convinced that it is a college degree for you, we say go for it! Not everyone will believe in you, especially in the beginning, but it’s your path you’re carving.
The fact is, just like all bigwigs in many other fields, every artist has to start from somewhere; they always begin as amateurs. And many find it to be a lucrative and fulfilling career. Contrary to popular belief, a degree in Fine Arts leads graduates to various career options. Hard work, is, of course, will be your ultimate ally. No art turns into a masterpiece without passion and hard work. Remember, you chose this path because you want to develop and explore your talents in the arts. Career happiness and personal fulfillment are within your reach.
But, first things first: learn from the masters.
Art Galleries in the US: Best for Art Majors
Art students spend most of their time sifting through historical and contemporary art sources. They make elaborate written notes and reflections on the sources that they encounter and experience. Art pieces or even the most trivial things emerge as an inspiration for methods and techniques that are translated into their own work. Fine Arts majors are expected to develop original artwork, and artistic exploration of the various galleries and art museums is one of the most effective ways they do research.
The United States is home to many of the world’s most renowned art galleries. Art is at its peak and is experiencing a remarkable commercial boom and attention. It is worth your time to visit art galleries and museums and discover the next generation of artists who will shape the art culture.
Why do we have museums?
For students of the Arts, exploring some of the country’s best art galleries is a perfect opportunity to observe and learn. Art museums such as the New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, D.C.’s National Gallery of Art, and Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery are true national treasures. These landmarks host some of the world’s most exquisite art collections. Visiting them is a favorite pastime for both locals and tourists.
Indeed, several cities in the United States are rich with unique cultural destinations. Based on our extensive research, these are the 9 out of the hundred awesome fine art galleries and museums for art majors to visit.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, New York
Founded on April 13, 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest museum in the country. Known colloquially as the “Met”, it is located in the City of New York. Under its Charter, the Museum was built for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a museum and library of art, and to further encourage and develop the study of the fine arts, and explore the application of arts to practical life.
The Met is an establishment that showcases various art pieces from across the entire world, spanning over 5,000 years. Everyone and anyone can experience and enjoy the more than 2 million items, ranging from the antique to the contemporary art pieces. The Met is “an essential fabric of New York City” with three of its iconic sites: The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters. Visiting the Met is an immersive and life-changing experience, especially for Fine Arts majors.
Art comes alive every day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Through Met’s galleries and through various exhibitions and events, both old and new ideas across time and culture merge for people to see and experience.
Get inspiration from the works Botticelli, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas, Rodin, and other masters. Marvel at the exquisite engraving by Albrecht Dürer, the “Adam and Eve.”
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. is the world’s largest museum complex that centers on research. It houses a vast wealth of knowledge that helps support researchers and learners globally. A visit to the Smithsonian will take anyone to a detailed exploration of America’s history. Over 137 million objects and artifacts can be found in the museum.
A collection of the various world-renowned museum, it is consists of 19 sub-museums, galleries, and a zoo that will leave you in awe. Explore and learn about every aspect of human existence from the origins of man to a glimpse of the future. History is a vital part of humankind, and learning about the history of art is important for your future as an artist.
Collecting the World: Inside the Smithsonian
The Institution was founded in the year 1826 through the funding of an Englishman named James Smith. A nobleman, he wished that “under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Up to this very day, the Smithsonian Institution continues to honor the longstanding mission and has provided the Washington State and the entire country free access to the world’s treasure chest.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is among the biggest museums in the United States and one of the world’s most comprehensive museums. MFA is affiliated with the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and was founded in 1870 servicing the arts of the community. It since opened its doors to the public in 1876 during the nation’s centennial.
It is home to 500,000 works of art and every Fine Arts major will feel at home in the museum walls. MFA has been on Huntington Avenue since 1909 after it was moved from Copley Square.
Welcome to the New MFA
MFA has a comprehensive art collection from all over the world. An average of one million people visits the museum per year, making tourist visits one of the strongest sources of revenue. Art from ancient Egypt to contemporary pieces, special exhibitions, and innovative, educational programs amuse visitors. As a matter of fact, 9 out of 10 tourists who come to Boston visit the museum. This places the Museum of Fine Arts as the most visited place in the city. And in 2014, MFA was ranked the 55th most visited museum in the world.
David Zwirner, New York, New York
David Zwirner has been in the gallery scene for 25 years. He serves as an inspiration to young artists. Founded in the early ’90s in SoHo, the gallery eventually moved to Chelsea in 2002. It hosts a stable of art pieces from progressive contemporary artists. His eponymous art gallery was opened in February 1993 on the ground floor of 43 Greene Street which started with a solo exhibition centered on the work of Franz West.
The gallery is home to radical and experimental shows by up-and-coming artists. David Zwirner invested in very risky artists and has successfully made an impact in the art industry. Today, the gallery has a stable annual revenue of 500 million dollars.
Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio
The mission of the Cleveland Museum of Art is to create transformative experiences through art. It stands “for the benefit of all the people forever” as it provides a fun, free, and stunning learning experience for every visitor. Built on their promise to build, preserve, study, and share the outstanding collection it houses, the Cleveland Museum of Art is a must-see spot in the city.
Founded in the year 1913, the Cleveland Museum of Art strives to help broaden the audience of traditional, contemporary, and modern art. It honors aesthetic, intellectual, and professional standards through exhibitions and galleries. To this day, the Cleveland Museum of Art is steadfast in maintaining the world’s most distinguished and vastly comprehensive collection of art pieces
Inside the seemingly elaborate aesthetic and architectural appeal, iconic permanent exhibits welcome visitors. You will find some of the world’s most popular collections including Pastels, 18th Century Prints and Drawings, works of Frida Kahlo, and the Gothic Table Foundation’s collection. Strolling through the 1913 era building is an experience in itself.
Pryor Fine Art, Atlanta, Georgia
Pryor Fine Art holds more than 50 exceptional artists under its name. They are often unique and eccentric, representing their own style in the art industry. They are a bunch of carefully selected emerging and even established talented artists from all over the United States. Pryor artists have made a name for themselves, so much so that the gallery has become a top destination for fine art. They cater to commercial clients and receive art lovers who wish to explore what the gallery has to offer.
Pryor Fine Art is located at the Miami Circle in Atlanta and remains a must-visit for locals, tourists, and especially for Fine Arts majors. On display are interesting pieces that bring out the distinctive flair in each artist.
Susie Pryor started the luxurious and welcoming environment for viewing art in 1990. She believes that her gallery of exceptional works of art offers an experience that evokes different emotions.
Gallery Aferro, Newark, New Jersey
Gallery Aferro is devoted to modern art, an explorative artistic age that emphasizes experimentation on traditional art. It is a modern art gallery in Newark. Exhibitions in Aferro tackle social issues affecting human life. The gallery is a must-visit for those who are passionate about social criticism and movements.
The gallery serves and functions as a platform for the effective exchange of critical ideas. Aferro commits to advancing human dignity and beauty by utilizing visual arts as a vehicle to effect change. It is a hub of cultural education where aesthetic engagement is possible and welcomed. Artists are welcome to gather and share their ideas and intellectual resources with like-minded individuals. Gallery Aferro is a community of progressive artists who do not negate from quality and standards of art and the artistic experience.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture, Charlotte, North Carolina
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture is an institution that is committed to honoring, celebrating, and remembering the historic African-American culture. It is a center for the celebration of the African, African-Americans, and American contributions to arts. The Harvey B. Gantt Center is where the community gathers for music, dance, theater, and visual arts. Preserving the remarkably colorful art, history, and culture of African-Americans is at the heart of it all.
Harvey B. Gantt serves as an epicenter of engagement and conversations that place the spotlight on the African-American experience. The gallery offers guided tours that not only marvel at the art pieces but also interpret them in the way they affect family and community, and ignite awareness and empowerment. The center offers Early Childhood and K-12 guided tours to introduce the culture to the youth. All that while they get to enjoy the interactive and colorful display of art. Family First programs are offered year-round to promote a proud sense of belonging for African-Americans.
Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York
An influential contemporary art museum in midtown Manhattan, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) contains famous works from the “Drowning Girl” by Roy Lichtenstein and Vincent van Gough’s “The Starry Night”. MoMA “celebrates creativity, openness, tolerance, and generosity” with their carefully curated displays. It is committed to creating an inclusive place for all artists where diversity is not only welcomed but celebrated as a source of inspiration.
Founded in November 1929, the Museum of Modern Art has been sharing the love and passion for the most thought-provoking modern and contemporary art for 88 years. MoMa has continued to be a vital player in developing, collecting, and preserving modern art. It has been recognized in the world as one of the largest and is considered an authority in museums of modern art.
MoMA houses a diverse collection of modern art ranging for architecture, design, drawing, photography, and even electronic media, and a lot more. In itself, the Museum is a treasure of the modern world. It allows visitors to explore not only the exceptional pieces of art but also the ideas and the issues that affect our time that the works convey. Empower yourself as a Fine Arts major in the current tides of modern art. Explore the Museum of Modern Art in New York!
We hope that these art galleries create a positive impact as you come to discover your flair for the arts, earn your Fine Arts degree, and grow as an artist!