Museum of Art and Archaeology

The Museum of Art and Archaeology is an art museum at the University of Missouri that displays more than 14,000 works and archaeological objects across five permanent galleries. The collections span five millennia of human creativity and include pieces from six continents.

The collection was founded in 1892 by Walter Miller and John Pickard as a study collection for academic purposes. The institution received its official museum status in 1961 and became an independent facility.

The collection shows works from different cultures and time periods, with Greek and Roman antiquities playing a central role. Visitors can observe how various civilizations developed their own artistic styles and craftsmanship traditions.

The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM and on weekends from noon to 4 PM, with no admission charge. The building is located on the north campus and is easily accessible by public transportation or walking.

The museum operates an unusual vending machine called Art-o-Mat that dispenses original artworks such as paintings and jewelry using special tokens from the Museum Store. This project makes art accessible and shows a playful side of the institution.