The Grand Rapids Art Museum (clever acronym GRAM) is well laid out over three floors, with some areas especially good for children. There is an area with videos playing showing how some art works are created, and a chance for kids to participate. The works on display include regional talent, and some more famous international works. The space is well lighted and easy to navigate.
This is a great museum for a city the size of Grand Rapids. Well worth the trip if you are in the general area.The range of art in the permanent collection is from Old Masters to very Contemporary. I especially liked that there were Michigan artists included in the displays. So often in first-class museums the local artists are ignored.I’d suggest an hour for the museum unless you really do read every placard.I parked at a meter on the street but other parking is readily available in the area; check the museum’s website for directions.
A building with a spacious sense, the Art Center was an excellent way to spend 3 hours. The Edward Burtynsky exhibit, especially, was a startling collection of large-scale photographs highlighting our association with nature. Particularly captivating were spectacular shots of India pit wells, various river deltas, and American desert-city areas. The photographs have a sense of lament, and a call to continue the recycling work we are practicing as a sort of redemption. Don't miss this if you're in the area.
visited during the marks of genius exhibition featuring a diverse collection of some of the masters I had never seen. Will definitely return.
Great Place to Go for a day to contemplate Design and Space. I was really into the Annie Albers' prints that I saw there. Also the Constellation Garden out side is great to walk around even when it isn't covered in ice in the winter.
We went on the free Thursday night. Starting at 5 p.m., entry is free. They have a great collection in this little art museum! Including Renoir and Rodin. Helpful hint: don't visit the week after Art Prize though. They may have sections closed off due to deinstallation.
I took my sons there to experience the Art Prize winning entry "Intersections". We ended up thoroughly enjoying the entire museum. It's hard to call it a museum when it is alive and engaging and purposeful. My sons really enjoyed the Drawing Studio, and Saturday is particularly good for families, with programs.
The GRAM has so much to offer all year round, There are always new pieces of art and new exhibits here. Being right next to Rosa Parks Circle, I visit here a few times a year! There are so many cool pieces of art and there are friendly staff members and security. Definitely coming back many times in the future!
The Museum does a very good job of keeping new exhibits in and has ranged from Andy Warhol to Princess Diana Exhibit. They keep the place very clean and fresh. The price is minimal and its a great way to get a little culture in your life. Great location right downtown by Rosa Park Circle where they do ice skating in the winter.
I recently visited Grand Rapids for the first time for the ArtPrize competition and had the chance to visit GRAM as well as half a dozen other arts venues. However, GRAM stood out for being the best curated space I saw, with really intelligent display and placement of artwork. The museum itself is pretty new and attractive and high quality in its own right. Definitely worth stopping by for any visitor to the city and it certainly exceeded my expectations for a city of this size (I'm sorry for my preconceptions!).