Art Museums

Oakland / East End

If you're in the mood to museum hop, you're in the right place. Oakland is home to the Carnegie Museum of Art, internationally recognized for its distinguished collection of American and European works of art from the 17th Century to the present. Thinking of bringing the family? The Carnegie Museum of Art has been ranked fifth in the nation and one of the ten best art museums for kids by Child magazine.

Right around the corner is a world of beauty in bloom at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Tour the jewel-like conservatory and visit exotic lands in this 13-room Victorian glasshouse and gardens in historic Schenley Park. Stroll among tropical plants as well as many special flower shows, exhibits, butterflies and a 12,000 square-foot tropical forest conservatory.

Just a short drive away is the Frick Art & Historical Center, located on over five acres of lawns and gardens in Pittsburgh's residential East End. The Center is devoted to the interpretation of the life and times of industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick. Clayton, the restored Frick family home, is the cornerstone of the Center. Visitors can also enjoy the Frick Art Museum, the Antique Car and Carriage Museum and more.

North Shore

Looking for something a little funkier? Head to the Andy Warhol Museum on Pittsburgh's North Shore, and experience contemporary art and popular culture by one of the most influential American artists of the 20th century, and a Pittsburgh native. The museum houses the world's most comprehensive collection of Andy Warhol's work and memorabilia as well as extensive permanent collections of art and archives, changing films, public programs, exhibitions and performances.

While you're in the neighborhood, you won't want to miss the Mattress Factory, a museum of contemporary art that exhibits room-sized works created on site by artists from across the country and around the world. These unique exhibitions feature a variety of media that engage all of the senses. Located in the historic Mexican War Streets of Pittsburgh's North Shore, the Mattress Factory is one of few museums of its kind anywhere.

Downtown Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's rich cultural scene has nurtured many great artists, including August Wilson, a prolific playwright who eloquently chronicled African American life. The August Wilson Center for African American Culture presents performing, visual and education programs that celebrate the contributions of African Americans within the region. The Center features a 500-seat theater, galleries, bookstore, café and space for education and research. The ToonSeum, Pittsburgh's Museum of Cartoon Art, is one of only three museums in the United States dedicated exclusively to the cartoon arts. The ToonSeum features exhibitions of original comic and cartoon art, with new exhibits every two months. Programming is for adults and children alike and features information about artists as well as their famous comic or cartoon creations.

The Society for Contemporary Craft in the Strip District presents art in craft media through cutting edge exhibitions focusing on multicultural diversity and non-mainstream art. The Store features one-of-a-kind works including jewelry, ceramics, glass, scarves, ornaments and tableware by nationally recognized artists.

Western PA Region

Venture beyond the city and visit some excellent museums within an hour's drive. Take a fascinating look at American history through the eyes of such great American artists as Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent and Louis Comfort Tiffany at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Located only 35 miles east of Pittsburgh in Greensburg, it's the only museum of American art in western Pennsylvania.

You wont need a passport to see great art from the Far East when you visit the Maridon Museum, the only museum in the Western Pennsylvania region with a specific focus on Chinese and Japanese art and culture. Located about 41 miles from Pittsburgh in Butler, the museum houses a permanent collection that includes over 800 art objects, including an Asian art collection of jade and ivory.