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High Museum of Art
Rating Details »
- Nearest Transit:
-
Arts Center (North-South, Northeast-South, East-West, Proctor Creek)
- Hours:
Tue-Wed. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
54 reviews for High Museum of Art
I am such a dunce. I looked at the wrong day and arrived at the High Museum on the one day that they are closed -- Monday. I didn't let this stop me. I was on a mission to see the Richard Meier and Renzo Piano additions even if it meant that I had to walk around the building while looking through the large sheets of glass.
These buildings, spaces and courtyards are beautiful. I love the way that you can look at all of the connections in materials and space and see just how meticulously put together it is. I must return so that I can get inside. Amazingly enough, even though the museum is closed, there are still people that work at the front desks. I was able to get in to look at the main spaces, just not any of the more intimate areas.
It's difficult to try to review this museum, because you have to have some perspective. You can't go in here expecting the quality of museums you'll find in DC or NYC, because those are just top level places. I have been to tons of museums in my life, partly because my mom forced me as a child and partly because I developed interest later in life. I had never heard of any famous ATL museums so I came in with low expectations having seen poor museums in other similarly sized cities.
I have to say, the High Museum is impressive. It's not HUGE but it is a good size. They have a nice rotating selection (that actually does rotate exhibits instead of pretending like other places) so you can find something new if you go once every year or so. Saw the Terracotta warriors, that was awesome.. The Annie Leibovitz exhibit was also great.
I would definitely recommend this place for a tourist or for a new ATL resident.
The review below saddens me. The folk art was perhaps my favorite collection; it really sets apart the High Museum -- where else can you see a wood whittler's church scene replica with moving wire parts? Or a bicycle fully painted (seat and all) with scripture? Great architecture, a huge Calder mobile in front, and a more than decent contemporary/modern art collection! The da Vinci special exhibit was bad ass too.
(College students are in for only $5! Thank goodness I keep my I.D. in my purse.)
Have gone and/or been a member as long as I can remember throughout the years.
Last night we hit it to grab tapas (see other review) as well as go to the movies. I like that there is a ton of different stuff going on under one aegis; the movie was part of the Latin American Film Festival and was called Nora's Will. It was filmed in Mexico and was about Jews in Mexico City - Spanish with English subtitles. Deep, entertaining, funny, and poignant. Anyway, we have been a few times and, as members, we get in for $6 a head.
Ok I majored in art history in college. I love art and generally the places that house it.
The High Museum was a HUGE let down. For the size of Atlanta this is a ridiculous situation. Major city's are supposed to have great museums. The collections were just limited. There was more space devoted to local yocals and while relevant, it should not take up so much space.
This was a HUGE disappointment.
Friday Night Jazz at the High is a must-do. Went to see the Joe Gransden Trio on July 17 - highly recommend checking them out if they come back to the High. They did lots of rat pack classics and the volume was perfect. Sometimes the volume is a little out of control and echoes throughout the lobby.
There was a Single Mingle event going on, but as you would expect, it was mostly ladies.
Drinks were reasonably priced for midtown and there was a full bar.
Water Lilies are of course classic and beautiful, but my favorite was Richard Mirach's photo exhibit, "On the Beach."
This museum's architecture is gorgeous...art in itself. The layout allows small intimate spaces for smaller collections, big open rooms for large installations and paintings, and open hallway/circular ramp where you can catch glimpses of beautifully detailed marble statues and other pieces. Go check out my favorite painting on the 4th floor- The Expansionist- the color and detail on this piece is exquisite, almost looking like an Elizabethan photograph (I guess paintings *were* the photographs back in the day).
Note to the families- kudos on exposing your children to art but know that the museum isn't a theme park...know their limits and don't overextend them, because they will end up screaming and crying, like a couple toddlers in the Louvre exhibit!
Worth the price of admission...which was free on the first weekend of the month if you are a Bank of America customer or a resident of Fulton County- I am both, so yay!
I had high hopes for the High Museum because I thought I was gonna see an amazing exhibit of Monet and Masterpiece from the Louvre.
I am big fan of his waterlilies and I'm dying to go to Paris and visit the Louvre - the exhibits were very disappointing.
For the admission of $18, I was expecting more and better arts. maybe I've been spoiled by the MET and the National Art Gallery, I really wanted more.
Friday Jazz at the High - is this the best kept secret or what?
We're still new to Atlanta and the High has become one of our favorite places, so of course we're members.
June was the first time we got to go to Friday night Jazz (one Friday evening a month the museum is open late with live jazz and cocktails!)
What a totally cool evening this was.
I gotta say, tell this girl Martinis and Monet and Jazz and of course I got date night dressed. My recommend is go ahead and think date night for your ensemble, and make sure the shoes are flats - it's a museum, not the right place for date-night heels, learned that the hard way.
Top shelf Fine Art and great jazz - could it be better?
Nah!!
Wow the High Museum is just full of beautiful surprises!!! I had never been to the High, had always heard lots about it and kept putting it on my list of places to visit here in Atlanta, just never got around to it, until.....low and behold Valentine's day!! Who would've thought that the High would have a nice little event going on for the special day symbolizing love.....
They had put together an event called: "Love, Art, Valentine's at the High", and it had such a fantastic combination of events to enjoy for only $40 (per couple)....it was a fabulous way to end off the evening after a nice dinner.
They had music from an orchestra on one level, a Latin orchestra and dance group in another wing. They had massage and paraffin wax rooms, it was fantastic, plus with the admission to this event, you could visit both the exhibitions for the Louvre and the Chinese Terracotta Army. Unfortunately, we only made it to the Terracotta Army, which by the way was AMAZING and so interesting, I definitely recommend you checking that out while it's here in town.
Overall, the High just offers so much, it's levels upon levels of art, history, and interesting artifacts. The way that the museum is set up it caters to everyone regardless of how interested you are in museums. I think it's worth at least one trip (if not more) for those skeptics out there who have never been because "museums weren't there thing".......
I've been to the High just about once a year my entire life-- we always go to check out whatever show is going on right after Christmas. You know, to get some "culture" to somehow make ourselves feel better about all of the eating and drinking and consuming that we'd done over the past few days.
This year was no different, except that it has always been my Dad's dream to see the Chinese Terracotta Warriors. We've been lectured endlessly on them for the past 15 years or so, so we were ready to see them so my Dad could (hopefully!) move on with his life. While the exhibit was well done, it was very small: only 4 rooms. There were 7-10 actual warriors and a bunch of reproductions which was slightly upsetting. I think we're still going to have to hear my Dad's wistful dreams about another trip to China to see all 7,000. Obviously, the pitfalls of the exhibit isn't the High's fault, but I have seen it as a recurring trend. Shows end abruptly and leave you wanting more, and the flow of things usually leaves something to be desired.
Still, the High has made many recent improvements. The new wing is beautiful, both architecturally and as a museum. The new entry system makes it much easier to get in and out, although I kind of miss walking down ramp after ramp along the main lobby in the older building. The High manages to wrangle some impressive shows and is definitely a great addition to the city. Staff are usually helpful and knowledgeable, and a year's membership is only $90, which seems pretty low to me.
And if you missed the RINGS exhibit back in 1996, that's a shame. By far the best art exhibit I've seen in my lifetime, stateside or abroad.
Went this past Saturday....thoroughly enjoyed my morning here with a couple of friends...It was only $5 to get in on Saturday moning (before noon)....The Louvre Exhibit was great and I loved the Richarch Misrach exhibit as well. For something different to do on the weekend you must go! I have never had a bad time visiting the High. :)
We've been members for a few years now, but we're just starting to really take advantage of our membership. For Christmas, I promised two of our guest passes to my parents to see the Terra Cotta soldiers, and we went on Saturday. Even being there when it opened, it was pretty busy. And they didn't have the lines queued all that well for picking up audio guides and then getting into the line for the elevator. But all in all it was another great experience.
I'd already been to see the exhibit once, but opted this time for the audio guide. I thought the audio guide did really enhance the experience, particularly seeing it for the second time. This led me to reflect on the exhibits and all the work that goes into making the High and world-class museum. To hear the director of the Louvre say that he was excited to see that museum's pieces displayed in Atlanta was a real testament to the prestige of our little art museum. And thinking back to all the great exhibits I've seen there - Van Gogh, Ansel Adams, Annie Liebowitz, Andrew Wyeth, the Impressionists, three years of the Louvre, and now the Terra Cotta soldiers - I've definitely gotten a world-class art education just down the street.
I must admit that quite often, I just breeze through the permanent collection. All the modern and furniture pieces are just not my style. Particularly after wondering through the exhibitions for 4 hours. But there is a good amount of variation and history on permanent display. And the architecture really is a nice break from all the other glass sky-scrapers of the area.
Definitely go for the next Friday jazz and get a feel for Atlanta's gem of an art museum.
- The First Emperor. China's Terracotta Army -
I had the privilege of seeing The First Emperor China's Terracotta Army exhibit at the High which was also my first visit to the museum a few weeks, or even perhaps a few months back; and let me tell you, this exhibit was AWESOME!!!!
Out of all of the exhibits and things to see and do in the city during this time, the Terracotta Army exhibit is by far the best exhibit to see. Yes, I have seen the Tutankhamun exhibit and even did Dialogue in the dark. Nothing, and I mean nothing, compare to the spectacle of the Terracotta Army exhibit.
I found myself lost in the days of the first emperor's rule as he derived this army of hundreds of giant, life size warriors to protect him and his kingdom after death. Give your self 2 minutes of viewing the exhibit and you will soon find out that this guy was extremely egotistical. None the less, he thought big and lives big even after death.
But at lass this is not just a review on this particular exhibit. Yes, it has taken me a while to write this review but only because I savored the lasting memories of the exhibit and my time at the museum. Lucky for me, I was able to enjoy the museum with some very fine company as Laura B. and Kristine M. accompanied me on our tour.
The museum in it's self is very nice with plenty of amazing and beautiful things.
One little known fact about the museum is that the ceiling on the top floor exhibit hall is art it's self. Yep! True story. There is a little placard that tells you all about it as you enter the exhibit hall from the stairs.
While it has taken me 3 years to finally get to the High, and then another few months to write my review, I would definitely say this place is awesome! Couple that with the Jazz and wine events they throw during the spring months, and you have yourself an all around mix of fun and culture all wrapped in to one.
I highly suggest taking part in one or many events the High offers and for this yelper, I'm a huge fan.
I've been coming to the HIGH since I was a wee little artsy girl. Being a native of Atlanta this was a once a year (at least) stop for me growing up. We all grow up and life gets busy. Even my moving literally down the street didn't help that I had neglected my love of the fine arts (so sad).
Until now-we are now members I am happy to say.
What got me in the door? Um the Chinese Terracotta Army of course. I was impressed and enjoyed the displays. I can't wait to go back and "rediscover" more of the HIGH.
The HIGH is as clean, airy, good energy as you remember it kids. It's good to be back.
Did the Friday night jazz thing and checked out the Chinese Terracotta Army. The Army was pretty cool. But there wasn't exactly a ton of stuff to look at. I thought the Tut exhibit at the Civic Center had a better display. But it wasn't bad. Just over really quick.
As for the jazz, not too shabby. The music itself is good. Only problem is the venue. I sort of expected to be able to sit down in a dim area and listen to music. I guess that was a dumb expectation. The room was really brightly lit and there was only sitting room for a small group. Everyone else was just standing there listening. Basically, it is as if the jazz is just meant to be background music as you peruse the art.
So I marked this place 3/5 stars mostly, I suppose, because I had different expectations. If you want to look at art and hear jazz in the background, cool you'll like it. If you are going mainly for the jazz, maybe some of the other clubs in town would serve you better.
Actually, the best kept secret at the High Museum is the Art Partners group. It's a 40 dollar add on that gets you a second publication offering smaller, more intimate events that are WAY more fun than just looking at a wall of art. We need museums that offer fun activities for our city, not just staring at walls.
We enjoyed the Monet's Waterlillies exhibit very much - beautiful light and space. The Louvre exhibit is very interesting also - many objects from history. Easy to get in and fun for the whole family.
I'm so happy to be a High Museum member and supporter. Atlanta is truly blessed to have such a wonderful art museum right in the heart midtown. No, it's not as large nor does it have that robust of a permanent collection as say the Met or MOMA, but it is definitely a world-class museum that has had some unbelievable events come through the past few years: the various Louvre exhibits, Annie Leibowitz, the forthcoming First Emporer-China's Terracotta Army exhibit.
I love attending the various lectures they have on Thursday evenings during their Art in the City extended hours as well as Saturdays. These lectures give you insight on the latest or forthcoming exhibits and are typically fabulous.
I was staying accross the street and my class got done early so I used the extra time to see the museum. The collection was eclectic but smaller than I would have expected.
The peices that were there however were good and I greatly enjoyed my visit.
The staff were very friendly.
I recently became a member after visiting several times. The High has so many great exhibits this year, that it seemed like the best choice. For only $75, I got a dual membership with my mother. We also received two free guest passes to bring other people. Last week I received an invitation for a preview of the Terracotta army where I can also bring a guest.
They always have interesting temporary and permanent exhibits. Anyone who enjoys art should pay a visit to this great Atlanta staple.
Houdon's sculptures were the highlight of this visit, interesting to see his use of different materials...marble and bronze were some that were on display. Different than the Matisse works that I was lucky enough to take in back in SF. The High made me high, the crowd was moderately intrigued and lacked the nascent cynicism that can be found in larger art markets and everyone seemed relativity upright and sober. So High thanks for providing that natural...high.
All I would add is that the exhibits seem to be dwarfted by the Richard Meier and Renzo Piano design and classical works seem to overpower the space. That's ok. That's just the way it is. I'm still high over my visit.
Without knowing much about modern-day Atlanta other than CNN, Coca-Cola and the CDC, my views about the city as an uncultured, East Coast version of car-obsessed L.A. was overturned partially as a result of my visit to the High Museum.
Beyond many of the great works you'll discover at the High, the one essential reason to visit is the original building itself, designed by Richard Meier. [My last trip there was when the extension, by Renzo Piano, was under construction].
Several features of the High's exterior typify Meier's vernacular: a devotion to the color white, mix of boxy and curvy geometry, and large sheets of stone and glass.
The greatest pleasures are found inside. The center atrium is a large, cavernous space that invites a seemingly endless supply of natural light inside. Walk-paths spiral upwards along the walls toward the ceiling, leading to different exhibition rooms along the way.
Many liken this part of the High to the Guggenheim in New York City, but I think the comparison is unjustified. There is a certain heaviness associated with the Guggenheim, with its use of thick slabs of concrete and diffusive lighting. The building feels like a well-designed bunker unit, closed to the outside world.
The High's interior, by contrast, has an airy, almost ethereal feel. Here, effortless flow seems to be a guiding principle, with a seamless connection between the outside and inside. Meier seems to be inspired by the same humanistic ideals that gave us the neoclassical monuments in Washington, DC, while intent on preserving a linkage to nature.
The collection spans a wide range of periods, mostly from 19th century to contemporary works. The High also features a number of great southern artists, familiar only to the cognoscenti. The pieces are strategically installed to promote access and contemplation, minimizing the forced wandering we often find ourselves in cluttered museum spaces in some of our better known museums (Sorry, Metropolitan. But you know I still adore you).
I feel like a jerk saying this about a decent museum like the High but I think it needs saying: The High is the perfect museum for the city of Atlanta because it has plenty of style yet lacks in substance.
The architecture is interesting yet sterile and antiseptic. This museum plays the role of an insane asylum in "Manhunter," the original "Silence of the Lambs." It's fitting. The exterior is ok, it's the interior which comes off feeling cold and unwelcoming. The sparse collection in some areas adds to the discomforting sense of scale.
The permanent collection is ok. It's not as extensive or varied as I've seen in some similar sized museums but it does a good job of covering all the bases. I agree with some folks that this collection could be beefed up, especially considering Atlanta's size and clout on the international stage.
The traveling collections are usually well presented. I was a bit disappointed in the Louve Greek, Roman, and Egyptian exhibits. For such fascinating items as were presented, the historical importance and context was sorely lacking.
A word of advice: Try to time your visit to avoid school visits. There's nothing like a huge group of obnoxious, indifferent kids to ruin an interesting day.
I ended up at the High on accident, and loved it. It was a visually stunning building, with a great variety of art.
We went and saw the Louvre exhibit which was interested. IT is really bizarre to see things made in the BC days. It was very interesting.
Impressionism can be overdone, but the variety here was great. There was a great variety of Degas, Renoir, and many by my personal favorite, Manet.
There were also some interesting American furniture pieces, and a beautiful airy atrium.
The staff was helpful, friendly, and accommodating.
Go here on a free afternoon, you won't regret it.
It's too bad that I couldn't enjoy this museum because I really wanted to.
My experience at the museum was ok but not great because they had so many people checking out Leibovitz that they were all crowed around the exhibits blocking my view. I like to stand back and take it all in, but when I stood back, it left a lot of room for everyone else to crowd in front of me in the way of my view. I'm not sure why they don't have a limit on the number of people that they let in at one time. I understand that they want to make money and attract patrons, but it was something like a weekend trip to Costco. I have waited in lines outside of museums before - it's ok to do.
Anywayssssss.....I ventured away from the crowds because I could feel the temperature of my blood rising and I didn't want to see myself get rude. People had like a zero museum etiquette level, i.e. (shouting) "MARGE, COME OVER HERE AND LOOK AT THIS ONE. OMG!! ISN'T THAT ONE GOOD?" or their kids running around my ankles pissing me off. (Who brings toddlers to a museum anyway?!?!) It was like a museum of monkey patrons and I was trying my hardest to be tolerant, but I could not. You have to wonder how a museum like that gets funding from the wealthy. They must have upper-class day when the donors come out with their manners and all others are screened at the door. Hummm. So as I was saying, I wandered down to the other collections which were good and/or boring depending on the collection, but none great like Leibovitz would have been without the masses of simian lookie-loos.
I'll give it another try next time I'm in town and update you.
OK, so the High doesn't measure up to the vast collections seen in many European museums, but it is in its own right a darn good museum and it is steadily improving. I would suggest any out of towner check it out and any resident should buy a membership. The time to go is when a good visiting exhibit is on and there have been some really good ones. Right now, of course, is the terracotta army and the Louvre. Not too shabby. I like to combine a day at the museum with a meal or snack at its restaurant, Table 1280.
I've only gone during the Friday Night Jazz, and the music has always been wonderful. It is usually packed as well, lots of people coming to see the arts.
I guess I feel bad about this review that I am about to write, before I write it. Because I know what I want to say and it isn't a praising review.
The High is a beautiful building. Every time I drive by it I have to steal a glimpse and admire its stunning modern design.
But I have to say I am not impressed with the permanent collection, just like many others here, and the only reason I go here is for the exhibits, that have been pretty amazing over the last ten years I've lived in Atlanta.
What makes me sad, is I feel like Atlanta is a pretty big city, worthy of a huge museum and this is not huge. There is more space dedicated to aesthetics than to feasible areas to show art.
Maybe my disappointment stems from living in big cities like Chicago and New York that have huge museums that can take up your day, not just a few hours. I will always go here to see their great exhibits, but I pine for a huge museum to get lost in. Maybe one day...
This museam is one of the best in the world. I have been to so many muesuems around the world and am not bashful to speak so highly of the High here in Atlanta.
The fact that our curator is so respected and was able to make a deal with the Louve in Paris to borrow famous art works from their permanent exhibits to be rotated and featured at The High through an entire year is unheard of. I visited the Louve last year, and would come upon empty frames with notices saying that they were on tour in Atlanta. I was flambergasted by this news but so proud that Atlanta is taking a stance in becoming more than just a corporate headquarters.
My suggestion is to become a member of the High and recieve such benifits as unlimited addmission to the museum, discounts in the gift store and film series, and free admission to Friday Night Jazz, along wtih many more.
So fill your life with art, and visit the High.
I'm not a fan of Richard Meier's design for the first building, it's just a personal preference. I'm sure thousands of people love that style of building. The addition by Renzo Piano is much better, but due to its location and need to fit in with the rest of the white buildings you don't really notice it until you're in front of it.
Definitely give Jazz at the High a try. One Friday each month they stay open late with live jazz in the atrium and martini bars and food. It's $15 for your ticket to the museum for these nights, and the bar is a cash bar. It's another Atlanta date staple if you're looking for some place classy for a night out.
As far as the exhibits....the permanent collection isn't anything impressive. The current loan program with the Louvre sounded exciting, but was underwhelming when I went to see it. Most of the first round of loan items from the Louvre are sketches or studies of the paintings that are on the walls in Paris. Don't get me wrong, there are some truly amazing pieces in this loaned collection, but they are few and far between. Hopefully when the next batch of loaned art from Paris arrives it will be better.
As far as I can tell, this is Atlanta's only art museum, which seems a little weak for metropolitan area of 4 million people, but the High Museum of Art proudly tries to do Atlanta justice.
It's a beautiful, light-filled building, with a performing arts center across the courtyard. They have a lot of gorgeous paintings by people I've never heard of and lesser works by great artists.
The modern collection isn't worth much, and I was unimpressed by their folk art, but the early American and European holdings are fabulous if you're not trying to check masterworks off your list. They've done a good job of mixing the decorative arts of a period in with the painting and scupture, so that you get a sense for the aesthetics of an era. There is a little wing of 18th-19th century British ceramics that has some stunningly modern pieces.
The show I went to see was a collection of portraits of the Native American delegates who went to Washington in the early 19th century to try and hash out tribal land treaties. The original paintings were destroyed in a fire in the 1860s, but fortunately they had just been copied by a different painter in order to turn them into color prints.
The paintings are gorgeous portraits of a unique clash of cultures. The delegates are wearing frock coats, but in colorful calicos with luscious ruffles and beaded pouches. Some of them have European haircuts, and others wear face paint. It gets across what a strange time that must have been, and of course, knowing the history, it's easy to read all sorts of defiance, bravery and grief into their faces.
The Quilts of Gee's Bend is about to open (runs through June 2006), which I highly recommend--I saw the original show at the Whitney a few years back.
The High Museum was one of the reasons I moved to Atlanta. Now I don't mean I moved BECAUSE the High was here, but it was one of the places that reassured me that Atlanta had the culture scene I could be apart of.
The High is a good combination of architecture/collections/and exhibits that an art museum needs to set itself apart from the pack.
If you're not an art person, I don't think the High will make you one, but if you are, you won't go wrong with the High. The Highlight (no pun intended) are the series of Louvre exhibits that are on display for the coming years. Every 6 months or so, the museum gets a new shipment of art from the Louvre, for many pieces it's the first time they've been outside of France, since that little guy Napoleon tried to take over the world.
The building is a modern work of art itself, using a lot of natural light to show off it's interior.
The permanent collection is a mix of contemporary and historic art, with a focus (it seems to me at least) on American artists.
The location could not be better, just across the street from the Arts Center MARTA station, and an easy walk to hangouts in the Arts Center area/Crescent ave area.
I could easily see this being a cool date place, especially on Thursdays (when they stay open later).
Given that the High does not enjoy the endowments of the Getty, Metropolitan, or the Cleveland Museums of Art - the High Museum does a great job of making art accessible to the community. My son took art lessons there and had a great experience. The museum also arranges exhibitions that broaden it's appeal and make it worthy of frequent visits.
I have been visiting this museum since I was a kid. Ahhhh the grand ol' days of Spectacles down on the lower level! How I miss that exhibit!
The High has really become quite a fine museum over the years. While the Louvre exhibit is somewhat small, the fact that they were able to borrow any pieces from the Louvre at all is impressive.
The permanent collection is nothing to sneeze at either. Please, don't sneeze on the paintings. There are some really fabulous pieces in here. My all time favorite is Robert Henri's Lady in Black Velvet. I also adore The Funeral of Atala.
The High Museum is a great place to visit. They do have a permanent collection, which is interesting, but they also have been getting a lot of really interesting special exhibits. It is definitely worth keeping an eye out for the special exhibits. If you can find time to go on a non-peak day, it is very pleasant to wander through this museum. I highly recommend weekday mornings. The special exhibits do tend to get very crowded, and I am sure there are plenty of people not observing proper museum etiquette, but I have honestly seen much worse at other museums in other cities around the world (it's not like the High attracts an especially "bad" crowd or anything). And, it really is a beautiful building.
The current Louvre Atlanta exhibit (the second one) is very interesting. It focuses on the Louvre's antiquities collections including Roman, Greek, Asian and Egyptian art. A helpful audio guide is included with your museum entrance. I like this second installment much better than the first.
I recently attended Friday Jazz at the High for the first time. It was pretty fun and I was amazed at how many people were there. We had drinks, which were good and strong, and also food, which was a pleasant surprise - a nice cheese and fruit plate, cheese tortellini and mashed potatoes (we were in the mood for carbs but they did have other things) . The food was not exactly cheap but it was good. I would go again to Friday Jazz.
While I agree that the High Museum does not have a permanent collection that is as impressive as many museums in other larger cities, I do really like the High Museum. They certainly are improving all the time and are making a tremendous effort to do so. I feel a little compelled to defend the High in its comparisons to the Getty Center in LA. I happen to also love the Getty and have been there more times that I can count. While I know that both museums were designed by Richard Meier, it is a bit unfair to compare the High to the Getty. The Getty is perched on a hilltop in Malibu overlooking the Pacific Ocean and it has the largest endowment of any museum in the world - it's tough to keep up with that!
Audio guides were included in our admission tickets but my boyfriend and I love hearing Southern accents. I only had time to see the Louvre show which was a great collection. If the architecture is sterile, it was a great canvas to display the Egyptian artifacts and sculpture on. In contrast to the cold white building, the staff is welcoming. They sold French milled soap, stickers, and travel journals at the gift shop.
Sadly, this museum just doesn't do it for me. I am a museumophile and love love love museums about anything, and as Atlanta's "big art museum", this one just won't do. The permanent collections are not exciting compared to the likes of New York, Chicago, and even the San Francisco museum. The only things of excitement are the special exhibits they have going on.
The Chuck Close exhibit was the high point this summer, and The Louvre to Atlanta exhibits are a little bit more talk than substance, as it was much smaller than I expected. I haven't seen the second set yet, only the first.
As a resident of Atlanta I just don't send tourists from other big cities here, and this is just an area in which Atlanta is definitely lacking.
I spent an afternoon alone at the High Museum. I took the guided tour w/about 15 senior citizens. It was an experience.
I worked at the Getty Museum for 7 years. The High is no Getty even though they were both designed by Richard Meir and look almost identical.
I was able to see the Louvre Atlanta exhibition which was interesting. All in all it isn't a great museum. I too would expect more from such a large city.
Wow, the Terracota Army exhibit is pretty cool! Anyway, I would definitely recommend going here. The collections are beautiful, and even for those people who aren't really into art (ahem- "me"- ahem) it's actually not that bad. I have been to bigger and "better" museums, but a lot of them were actually overwhelming for those of us who just want to see cool pictures that are visually stimulating. The High Museum definitely caters to many different tastes. Also, you really should stop in the gift shops- they are one of the best reasons to go to museums :)
