Walker Art Center

The Walker Art Center is a museum for contemporary art in Lowry Hill, Minneapolis, featuring ten gallery rooms, a cinema and several event spaces within a modernist building. The architecture connects different levels through open transitions and wide corridors that direct the view toward artworks from changing perspectives.

The institution originated in 1879 as a private gallery in the residence of lumber magnate Thomas Barlow Walker and opened officially as the Walker Art Gallery for the public in 1927. The 2005 expansion by Herzog & de Meuron added new spaces and connected the building directly to Hennepin Avenue.

The name honors Thomas Barlow Walker, whose private collection formed the foundation and who made the museum accessible to the public. Visitors find works from film, video, performance and digital art alongside traditional media, showing the range of contemporary forms of expression.

The building is fully accessible by wheelchair, so all galleries and the cinema can be reached without obstacles. Opening occurs from Tuesday through Sunday, with rooms remaining accessible until 21:00 on Thursdays.

The gray aluminum facade displays irregularly shaped panels that reflect light and shadow differently depending on the time of day. Glass transitions connect the different building sections and create visual sightlines between interior and exterior space.

Location: Minneapolis

Inception: 1927

Founders: T. B. Walker

Architects: Edward Larrabee Barnes

Official opening: 1927

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: 1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403

Opening Hours: Tuesday,Wednesday,Sunday 11:00-17:00; Friday,Saturday 11:00-18:00; Thursday 11:00-21:00

Phone: +16123757600

Website: https://walkerart.org

GPS coordinates: 44.96806,-93.28861

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:25