North Carolina Museum of Art

The North Carolina Museum of Art is an art museum in Raleigh spread across spacious grounds with indoor and outdoor areas. Galleries occupy several building sections, while a network of trails winds through the surrounding park.

This institution opened in 1956 as the first major museum in the United States funded by state legislation. Over the following decades it expanded its holdings through donations and moved to the current building with extensive parkland in 2010.

The institution's name reflects its public ownership by North Carolina, which still allows free entry to the permanent galleries. Families use the spacious grounds as a meeting place, while school groups regularly visit the rooms to explore different periods of art.

Entry to the permanent collection is free, while temporary shows usually charge admission. The site is easiest to reach by car, as it sits outside downtown and offers ample parking.

The outdoor areas host large sculptures that blend into the natural setting and can only be found while walking the trails. Some works respond to light and weather, changing their appearance at different times of day.

Location: Raleigh

Inception: 1947

Fee: Yes

Address: Blue Ridge Road

Website: http://ncartmuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 35.81019,-78.70289

Latest update: December 22, 2025 16:53