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Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Museum District
1001 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 639-7300
1001 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 639-7300
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
31 reviews for Museum of Fine Arts Houston
My favorite Museum in Houston. I love to see beautiful art and this museum has the cream of the crop. I LOVED the Italian exhibition they had going on. The sculptures were great and so were the paintings. Pictures were not allowed, but I managed to get one or two before they got me. I also enjoyed the Asian art displayed. I believe it was from the early 1900's, but don't quote me on that. I was mostly just enjoying the sculptures and artifacts. I was not able to take pictures as one of the ushers explained the artifacts are not owned by the museum, so they can't allow pictures. This made perfect sense to me.
I will definitely be back to this museum often. There is just something about walking around, observing other people's creations that makes me feel calm and relaxed.
They also show movies, which seem really interesting. They cost $7 and are usually independent films. I do love this museum and hope you do too!
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There are several things I wholeheartedly believe in that a person should learn/experience to become a more well-rounded person...for example, learning golf, keeping up with current events, understanding the stock market, and taking Art History.
One of the things I made sure of when I attended college many moons ago was to take an Art History class. I always thought that you could never fully appreciate art (old or new) if you don't understand the movement it came from or the background from which that piece was produced. Sure, anyone can go to a museum and look at a piece of art. But to actually see it and grasp it's meaning from the artist's point-of-view is , to me, what truly makes me appreciate each piece.
Though not one of the largest or most noted museums in the nation, MFAH gathers enough art from each movement to satisfy anyone's art lust. Renaissance paintings happen to be my favorite, followed by Impressionism. My last favorite traveling exhibit here was the French Impressionist paintings.
MFAH to me is a great introductory guide to art. I'm ashamed to admit that over the years, several of my "dates" have taken place here because 1) I can never turn down an invitation to visit this place with a fresh set of eyes and 2) I still hold on to the fantasy that I will meet my future husband while marveling at the same painting. =)
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Art is an expression. It can foster emotions you never thought possible, and that is why I love it.
The MFAH has to be one of the best museums in the country. I can't say I have a huge database of experience to base that comment on, but I can attest that it has something for everyone. Not only is the exterior surroundings of the multiple exhibit halls calming and inviting, once you step in the door you forget about the crazy traffic and smog that is Houston.
I have been to MFAH multiple times, but I recently went a few weeks ago and rediscovered my love for the art world. Now, don't get me wrong, the arts is definitely the one place I feel at home but I had been neglecting it for way too long.
During my most recent visit there were multiple interesting exhibits as is a commonplace at MFAH. Showcased were multiple pieces from South America in the Weiss Law Building and in the main building was a photography exhibit by a Houston native.
Now that I'm a member of MFAH I get updates on upcoming presentations and films being shown each season. I would definitely recommend the membership because it's good for the whole year and who doesn't like saving a buck or two these days???
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Me and my wife love to go to MFAH every once in a while. Always keep in mind that the museum if free on Thursdays and there are occasional free lectures. Be sure to check out their website often. By the way, schedule in that major party they host anually around the Holiday season; it's one of the best parties of the year!
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OK - Houston is not as artsy as NY, LA, or any other major city with at least 3 to 5 times the population, but it's still a nice museum.
I take my kids on the Free Family Days on the first Sunday of each month. They work with Target to put on events and station activities that will get children interested in and possibly even creating art. The little guys groan all of the way there, but they always end up enjoying themselves and taking away some new perspective or appreciation each time we go. I'm quite thankful for this.
I caught the MOMA show a few times when it came to town - apparently we were the only city to get to see it while the NY facilities were being rennovated - very cool.
Again, it's not the Getty or MOMA, but it has some very nice antiquities, a decent painting collection, many different comtemporary works, and offers a focal point for the art community in Houston and the surrounding areas. Take a day to appreciate what we do have. Take your kids to pass on the appreciation.
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I went on free Thursday then went back the next day to attend a free lecture on Pleasure, Beauty and Human Evolution.
I enjoyed the lecture, I think I was one of the youngest people there, mostly blue haired people, some were even snoring during the lecture. The lecture hall is good sized and all seats are good viewing. Basement floor.
The photography outside the lecture hall was great. I also loved the underground tunnel between the two buildings, it was amazing with the changing lights and the depth perception.
I went to the museum to see the special exhibit of jazz photography but also enjoyed the modern art on the 2nd floor and all the gold in the African and Americas exhibits. The Tiffany glass display is gorgeous.
Got a AAA discount of a couple of dollars off admission. Free parking across the street.
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There is literally something for everyone and most people rarely know everything that the MFAH has to offer its public or we forget to take advantage of it.
+Wonderful movies (classics, indie & international) are offered in the museum's screening room
+photography room (set in the Beck building) is wonderfully curated with 19th, 20th and 21st c. masterpieces (including some of the wonderful pieces from the "In the Forest of Fontainebleau" exhibit a few months back)
+ Hirsch Library & the Archives room comprise one of the largest art reference libraries in the Southwest
+the sculpture garden has many treasures in a serene setting
+the Glassel School of Art (its teaching wing) where you can take actual art or art history classes
+The Rienzi, set in a River Oaks home, is full of European decorative arts
+Bayou Bend - full of one the finest collections of American decorative pieces
Memberships range from nominal to high end & are worth investing in as they allow you do attend openings, lectures, films, the list goes on and on.
When you have a museum of this size and it has a public foundation, you must have featured exhibits that will bring in the masses to supplement your membership base. Love don't pay the rent, so while you may not be crazy about every exhibit, chances are there is something going on here you will enjoy.
I can nit pick details here as I can at any museum, but wouldn't you just rather enjoy what Houston has rather than what it doesn't?
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I'm used to museums like the MFA in Boston and NYC museums but I just came back from the MFA H and thought it was alright.
For 6 bucks, it is normally 7 but AAA members get a dollar off, it is a good deal. I only went to the main building, but they seem to have other buildings and exhibits you can check out, I assume with the same admission, but the main building was OK. The impressionism stuff is what I liked the best and they had a good collection. Other collections I honestly could of cared less and I'm into art.
I hear thursdays are free and I could see myself going back on those nights, because the place wasn't totally bad.
Gift shop was nice and had cool things, but not much, I thought, that related to the museum's collections. I was looking for some prints of paintings that I enjoyed but they didn't have a single one. I wasn't too happy.
Overall I would say check it out, especially, on a free night.
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Afghanistan exhibit just opened. Interesting story of how the artifacts survived and interesting to learn more about a country most of us only know from the recent headlines. The exhibit is quite accessible to kids and would be a fun casual date.
Rest of the museum, I am going to defer to Suzanne R and just say, yes, lots to do and see. Definitely worth the price of membership, and once you have joined, you will have to keep coming back because you have already paid for it :)
Love the museum store. Lots of books and moderately priced jewelry, vases, prints etc.
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Being a continous member of this museum, one would think that my rating would be higher. I had a membership here becuase there was really nothing better in Houston as far as fine arts go and I was studying Art History and was here all the time. The exhibits here are usually ho-hum. There was one year when MOMA in NYC was redoing it's spaces and the MFAH got some pieces. I got to see 'Starry Night' and so many others without leaving Texas. That was a great one to nab - and if I remember correctly Houston and one other city were the only ones to get these pieces. The permanent collection is dull. They don't rotate it out (I'm assuming they have many more not on display) and it's a lot of less than wonderful pieces. The tunnel (Turnell?) is great although the staff sometimes doesn't like you to linger.
Speaking of staff, they're the downside of this place to me. Never have they been nice when I purchased tickets. Or when I went to get my membership pin. Now, me working in a museum, I've learned your members are precious. They support you so treat them well! Also, fter have a membership for I don't know how many years now I've not ONCE received my membership card in the mail. I've called, email, everything and nothing. Then I get attitude for not having it when I come in. So now you've lost a member. So sorry.
The store has the potential to do so well but is clunky, cluttered and not very well staffed either. I love MFAH when it's on a good exhibit but there really hasn't been one of those in awhile sadly. I hope something good comes around for Houston! You're dropping out of the art circle!
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As good as it gets in Houston. The central exhibition space just past the lobby is always good for something cool, and it often picks up on top traveling exhibits, as it's one of the few museums in Texas capable of doing so.
The standing exhibits are good but don't change often enough for my taste -- it seems as though some of the same African artifacts have been on display since my first trip to the museum about 15 years ago. I've been told that they don't have a huge backup collection, but that's just a rumor.
Once you've done the whole thing once or twice, it's smart to just pay admission to the special show of your choice on return visits and skip the general admission tickets. It can get to be a pricey afternoon otherwise.
Tip: I'm not sure how long they're doing it, but a Target sponsorship means free admission on some Saturdays, and there are other free hours or days throughout the year. Take advantage of the opportunity to see this cool space whenever you can!
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For being the biggest art museum in Houston, you'd think it would be better, but it's still good. They have an impressive collection of gold items. Sometimes the visiting exhibits are great and sometimes they are lame. I really liked the contemporary Asian art exhibit and got to see a lot of famous stuff at the Impressionists exhibit.
Go on Thursday! The main collection is free on thursday. You still have to pay for the visiting exhibits if you want to see them though.
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MFAH is amazing!
It's even better if you get a membership, especially the 'Dual Membership' because you get invited to exclusive parties including the holiday party.
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Wonderful, large museum with lots of things to see from the ancient to the modern. The museum is has nice depth in African gold and a lot of bredth (in fact, it seems a tiny bit like a survey of big names) but the selection is nicely arranged and described. In fact, the descriptions and other details about the art is very nicely written and down-to-earth, little of that high-brow art school gobble-de-gook some museums use to try to inflate the meaning of a piece of art.
Definitely go on a Thursday, when the museum is free and open 'til 9pm. Definitely eat at the cafe, which has a delicious selection of food and drink served by a friendly staff in a laid-back atmosphere.
Definitely take a guided tour, the guides and docents are knowledgeable and friendly.
Definitely tour around the neighborhood, there is so much within walking distance. This place and the museum district is a real gem.
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I have seen better Art Museums in other parts of the country/world.
I agree with one previous reviewer about the staff being not so nice...this is unusual for houston but is true in this museum.
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Can't go wrong or be disappointed with anything at the MFAH. The exhibits are brilliant and perfectly presented. I melted when I came to see the Basquiat exhibit here, so amazing. Always a pleasure to wander the halls and forget about the mundane stuff for a few hours in this haven.
The MFAH films are very entertaining and the mixed media gatherings are always a blast when it's not overly crowded.
Thursday's are free! I think it's after 5pm though...
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I couldn't resonate more strongly with every rave review given to this museum on Yelp. The Met exhibit of French masterpieces is just the most recent example of the mind-blowing exhibits MFAH manages to bring to this very lucky city.
If you haven't yet, go. Go monthly. Go on Thursday evenings when general admission is free thanks to the generosity of Shell Oil Company. An exhibit here is the perfect appetizer for a nice dinner in Rice Village.
If I could give MFAH 10 stars, I would!
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Look for a lil culture in the hot Houston heat? Come here, it's air-conditioned and free on Thursdays and the first Sunday of the month! Their permanent collections are great and educational. They have special exhibits all the time. I saw the Asian photography exhibit here in July and the Red Hot (contemporary Asian art) exhibit today. Fun stuff! Well designed with good explanations where appropriate.
They also have monthly "mixed media" Saturday night parties. For about $5 cover, you get access to the latest new exhibit (I saw the quilts, too!), free drinks from the Starbucks sponsor, and live bands/DJs on the patio.
Also, check out the Cullen Sculpture Garden in front of the Law Building near the free surface parking lot...when the weather is cooler and you don't have to worry about mosquitoes.
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Disclaimer: This is a review only for the Bayou Bends Museum which is just a small part of the MFA.
I came here a few months ago for an event that was just stunning. They had it lit with nice, ambient lights that provided the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the gardens and the buildings. There was quiet music, wonderful food (with a great waitstaff), and free access to this part of the museum.
The grounds are incredibly well kept and it is the kind of place that makes you want to bring your camera and a macro lens. All the vibrant colors make me wish I had a green thumb.
The building itself has been preserved well, though the lack of a tour guide was a bit disconcerting. There isn't nearly as much information on the walls as I'd like for a museum, but it was fine for just a quiet event.
I'd like to come back again and see if I can get a guided tour of the house. It is small and would only take about an hour to see everything in detail, but I think it would be worth it. On my list of things to do is check out the other campuses of the MFA.
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Okay, I finally checked out the rest of the MFA and was pretty impressed. Not enough to give it that extra star, but enough to become a patron.
Being in such a large city has many advantages and our museum showcases a great one--we get some big name shows in town! Since I'm not a music person, that venue never does much for me. But the fact that we can get things like the Lucy exhibit at the Natural Science Museum and the Miwa Yanagi at the MFA makes me a happy camper.
Everyone is incredibly friendly, the exhibits are fantastic, and parking is pretty cheap ($3) in the garage. Thursday nights has free general admission and it just doesn't get better than that. Especially if you have kids and want to have a fun, educational, and cheap trip, there isn't much better in Houston.
The other great thing about the MFA is the amazing gift store. I mean, there were books EVERYWHERE! We were in heaven. It took more will power than I knew existed in my body to walk away without buying one single book. And there were a lot to choose from. I was especially impressed with the great collection of architecture books they had and the fun knick knacks (I loved the jewelery, of course) lying around.
Next time, I plan to take my camera so I can take plenty of pictures while on the grounds. There are so many great photo ops with interesting sculptures everywhere. Plus, this is the perfect time in Houston to go out and enjoy the sun since it isn't scorching hot yet!
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The guided tours are nice and give a little more depth to the works.
Not only is it a great museum during the day, but they're livening the night scene as well with a monthly party with DJs and drinks in the main exhibit hall. Free coffee from the Starbucks sponsor.
I went to the first one for the opening of the Basquiat travelling exhibit, but each one has gotten livelier with more clubbish break-dancing and local celebrities. Another adventure with many bizarre characters coming out.
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I know Houston is not famed through it's Art scene and I'm grateful that we have some sort of creative entertainment here, but I was disappointed after my visit to the Museum of Fine Arts. We went to see the "In the Forest of Fontainebleau: Painters and Photographers from Corot to Monet" exhibition back in September. This was a disappointment in itself. We love Monet, but there were only four pieces of his artwork. *sigh* Oh well. After spending 15 minutes looking at Monet's work, we explored the rest of the museum and eventually out of boredom, went home soon afterwards. The museums in New York and Washington D.C. are better as expected and I hear the exhibits in Russia are absolutely awesome. I guess that means I need to travel more!
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I have no doubt that this is the best art museum in the entire state of Texas! It's huge. Beyond huge. Beyond mammoth and it got to be probably in the top 5 largest museum in the country. And the quality of the art works are top notch as well. This is easily my favorite museum in Houston, and thankfully so since the art scene in Houston isn't that extensive. But Houston's art scene still exists due to this linchpin which is the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
Not to discredit Houston's art scene - if you're in town for the arts, you also have to check out the Menil Collection.
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With world class exhibits constantly coming through the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, what is there not to love?
The Museum is huge and comprised of the Caroline Wiess Law building, the Hirsch Library, the Audrey Jones Beck building, the Cullen Sculpture Garden and the Glassell School of Art.
In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum has amazing rotating exhibits that feed the mind and spirit as well as the artistic soul. Even the kids will have something to do as the museum tries to find space in each of its exhibits to make room for creating and growing a love of art at an early age.
Sundays are family days. There is always a special craft that children of all ages can complete and learn a little about an art form each time.
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I've been mostly catching free Thursdays here for many years and a major exhibit now and then. My girlfriend, however, bought me a dual membership for my birthday this year. I didn't realize how much I'd missed out on. I always would say that I was going to go to such and such show, but would always forget. The membership is handy because you get the invites directly. You're also more inclined to attend the events since you have a membership. The reward is great because I now see so many great exhibits more frequently!
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I'm sure I'm in the minority once again, but I don't care for the MFAH. Corporate sponsorship and exhibits that cater to those who prefer art about dogs or baseball will never be my cup of tea; I still have faith in the nonprofit model for some things. An afternoon at the MFAH isn't a waste of your time, though - the permanent collection neatly surveys the last 1000 or so years of visual culture, up to and including photography (one of the stronger areas of their collection). I've heard the staff (not sure if they're docents or security guards) give incorrect information about works several times, and the wall plaques on the special exhibits can be prone to the same. I don't enjoy the MFAH, but it's what we've got, and it's clean and safe. They do tend to program some good film series, but projection is variable. Open late on (free) Thursdays.
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MFAH is a truly world-class museum and a delightful place to spend an afternoon downtown. When I went there years ago, they had a NY MOMA travelling exhibit (while it was being renovated) and I had the chance to see Van Gogh's "Starry Night," which is simply incredible in original and quite different from those faded postcard/notecard renditions. Definitely worth a visit.
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Any museum willing to house the Lord of the Rings exhibition for 3 months is alright by me! I took three groups of students on school field trips there just for that exhibit. And now they are showing the Gee's Bend Quilts!!! WOW! I LOVE it!
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I was practically raised here.
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I love the Houston Museum...I figured I'd write a review cuz it's on my userpic...comtemporary arts rite across the street is free usually too...sculpture garden...mecon fountain...that areas pretty cool for any city...
beautiful museum, awesome pieces from greece, egypt, rome and more. the red hot exhibit is really freakin cool. make sure you catch it before it leaves.
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