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The Speed Art Museum, Louisville

4.6
#8 of 12 in Museums in Louisville
Art Museum Museum
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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Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
146 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • Really interesting museum with a wide ranging collection. In particular, I liked some of the charms collected by the daughters of the Speed family. In addition, there's a fair amount of art surroundin...  more »
  • Very nice art museum wth various collections. The Kentucky exhibit was especially interesting. We had just returned from Paris so I was a bit disappointed there wernnot many well known artists only a ...  more »
  • I took my two kiddos (5, 7) on a summer day in August compliments of the public library's culture pass. The location is right on U of L's campus, which is beautiful; it is next to DuPont Manual High S...  more »
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Google
  • The art exhibits were top notch! The kid area was a lot of fun and very different from those that I have seen elsewhere. Bravo on not being boring or repetitive!!
  • Love the Speed. We had a wonderful day experiencing the exhbits. Had a fabulous lunch at the Wiltshire Cafe.
  • Outstanding. 1 St time I have since the reopening. 1st.time for my oldest grandson 11th grade.Is artistic and is a designer. Art Sparks is amazing.
  • I haven't been since the remodel and I had brought kids before and bringing them this time was alot harder.. I think there should be some more kid friendly art/sculptures etc. didnt like that it was a free sunday but had to pay 7.00 to park and was there for 1.5 hour
  • Great selection of local and international art, great experience end the also have awesome rotation of special exhibitions, thanks to how well funded the museum is entrance is free on Sundays, overall a must if you are in the area and enjoy art.
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