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The Speed Art Museum, Louisville

4.6

Art Museum · Hidden Gem · Museum

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The Speed Art Museum, originally known as the J. B. Speed Memorial Museum, is Kentucky’s oldest and largest art museum. It was founded in 1925 by Hattie Bishop Speed as a memorial to her husband, James Breckinridge Speed, a prominent Louisville businessman and philanthropist.

The Speed Art Museum recently reopened its doors after a three-year expansion project. The new 60,000-square-foot North Building creates one of the finest experiential art museums in the country and doubles the overall square footage and nearly triple the gallery space from the existing wing. The expansion creates a state-of-the-art space for larger special exhibitions, new contemporary art galleries, a family education welcome center, indoor/outdoor café, museum shop, theater, and a multifunctional pavilion for performances, lectures and entertaining. Additionally, the new Elizabeth P. and Frederick K. Cressman Art Park and public Piazza was created for the display of sculpture that will engage University of Louisville students and faculty and museum visitors.

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The Speed Art Museum reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating

238 reviews

Google

4.7

By 252trinaf

The Alphonse Mucha exhibit was fantastic! We are not sophisticated art lovers, but we know what we like. And we really enjoyed the expansive retrospective of Mucha's works along with the history and..... more

The Alphonse Mucha exhibit was fantastic! We are not sophisticated art lovers, but we know what we like. And we really enjoyed the expansive retrospective of Mucha's works along with the history and..... more »
By remyh619

A rare find in a pretty small city not so well known for the arts. Some pretty big time exhibits spread out very well in a lot of art space

A rare find in a pretty small city not so well known for the arts. Some pretty big time exhibits spread out very well in a lot of art space more »
By VacationAdam

Wow.. what a gem in the city. So worth stopping in and seeing this amazing building and all the art. There is art for everyone in there. The collection is amazing and well laid out.

Wow.. what a gem in the city. So worth stopping in and seeing this amazing building and all the art. There is art for everyone in there. The collection is amazing and well laid out. more »

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By Justin Redmond

One of the coolest art museums I’ve been too. I loved it. Well designed and interesting art. I’d be very fortunate to encounter more museums as well put together as this one.

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By Scanlon Rush

Went to visit for the Paranormal America exhibit, had an amazing time. The museum is free on Sundays but special exhibits still cost for non-members. Worth every penny though! I love this museum, even more so due to its accessibility. The Speed offers light folding chairs for visitors to take and use throughout the museum so that anyone can explore and at their own pace. Definitely go if you get the chance, every exhibit they feature is worth it.

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By Kismet Sarken

I hadn't been to the Speed since I was a kid. My husband, my brother, his wife, my nephew & his wife and I all went for the last day of the Supernatural exhibit. I was so very pleased to find that this place is a first class museum. We will be back when we're in town. Sadly I didn't get to see everything , stupid Fybro, but I'm looking forward to pur next visit.

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By Lorita Rowlett

I really enjoyed the after hours event Codeswitching by Sanford Biggers. The art installation was beautiful. The museum itself is a very nice venue. I'll definitely return.

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By 123Louisville360

Next level event space for big parties. Sleek and elegant with superb custom services. The staff got me all the way together on what I needed. Beautiful glass windows, clean and spacious.

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