Information
Landmark: CU Art MuseumCity: Boulder
Country: USA Colorado
Continent: North America
CU Art Museum, Boulder, USA Colorado, North America
The CU Art Museum, located on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, is a significant cultural institution dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting works of art from diverse historical periods and geographic regions.
Established in 1939, it serves both the university community and the general public, with free admission that encourages broad access to the arts.
Location and FacilitiesThe museum is housed within the Visual Arts Complex at 1085 18th Street in Boulder, Colorado.
It is centrally positioned on the CU Boulder campus, making it easily reachable by foot, bicycle, or public transit.
Visitors who arrive by car typically use the nearby Euclid Parking Garage at 1725 Euclid Avenue, a short walk from the museum entrance.
The museum’s physical space includes multiple galleries designed for rotating exhibitions, a Collection Study Center for research and teaching, and facilities to support conservation and educational programs.
The Collection Study Center is equipped as a “smart classroom” to facilitate hands-on engagement with artworks for students and scholars.
It can accommodate around 20 people and provides resources such as a research library filled with catalogs, monographs, and other specialized materials related to the museum’s holdings.
Hours of OperationRegular visiting hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
During the university’s spring and fall semesters, the museum extends its hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7:00 PM to accommodate students and evening visitors.
The museum remains closed on Sundays, Mondays, and all University of Colorado Boulder holidays, ensuring alignment with academic schedules.
Collection OverviewThe CU Art Museum’s collection is comprehensive, with over 12,500 objects spanning more than 10,000 years of human history and creativity.
The diversity of its holdings is one of its defining characteristics, allowing it to present a wide range of artistic traditions and cultural expressions.
The collection is organized into several major categories:Ancient and Classical Art: This section features artifacts such as Greek pottery and Roman glass, representing the artistic achievements of ancient civilizations and offering insight into their cultural and historical contexts.
Art of the Americas: Covering a broad geographic area, this portion of the collection includes 19th- and 20th-century paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs.
It highlights both indigenous and settler art traditions from North, Central, and South America.
Asian Art: The museum holds a variety of Asian artworks, ranging from Neolithic objects to contemporary pieces, showcasing the rich visual cultures of regions including East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Modern and Contemporary Art: Encompassing a wide range of media-drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, photography, video, and digital art-this category reflects developments in art from the 20th century to the present, including experimental and multimedia works.
The Sharkive: A unique and internationally recognized collection of over 2,700 prints created in the studio of Bud and Barbara Shark.
This archive highlights the printmaking processes and innovations developed by these artists and their collaborators.
Educational Role and Community EngagementThe CU Art Museum functions as a dynamic educational resource integral to the academic mission of the University of Colorado Boulder.
It actively supports interdisciplinary scholarship, cultural dialogue, and experiential learning through various programs and initiatives:Course-Related Exhibitions and Programming: The museum collaborates with faculty across disciplines to design exhibitions and programs that complement university courses.
This integration enriches students’ understanding by connecting classroom learning with direct engagement with artworks.
Student Training: The museum offers practical training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in museum studies, curatorial work, conservation, and art history, fostering professional development and hands-on experience.
Artist-in-Residence Program: This initiative invites contemporary artists to engage with the university community through studio practice, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions, enriching the museum’s creative environment.
Community Outreach: Through traveling exhibitions and public programs, the museum extends its reach beyond campus, connecting diverse audiences with art and cultural heritage.
These efforts promote accessibility and cultural exchange within the broader Boulder area and beyond.
Conservation and Digitization: The museum maintains a commitment to preserving its collection through conservation efforts and making its holdings digitally accessible to researchers, educators, and the public worldwide.
Recent and Upcoming ExhibitionsAs of mid-2025, the CU Art Museum has undergone temporary closure for installation work and is scheduled to reopen with new exhibitions on August 5, 2025.
Prior to this closure, two notable exhibitions were featured:Hello Friend: This exhibition explored the friendships and artistic collaborations among groups of artists active during the mid to late 20th century.
It highlighted how social connections influenced creative output and cultural movements.
Better Days: This exhibition showcased artists’ responses to periods of uncertainty and social upheaval, reflecting on themes of resilience, hope, and transformation through visual art.
These exhibitions typify the museum’s focus on socially engaged and historically significant art, linking contemporary concerns with broader cultural narratives.
Research ResourcesThe CU Art Museum is a valuable research resource, particularly through its Collection Study Center.
This facility allows students, scholars, and researchers to study original artworks in detail, supported by a comprehensive library of scholarly materials.
The museum encourages academic inquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration by providing access to its collections and specialized resources.
In summary, the CU Art Museum is a vital institution within the University of Colorado Boulder and the Boulder community.
It balances its role as a steward of historical and contemporary art with its mission to educate, inspire, and engage diverse audiences through exhibitions, programs, and scholarly resources.
Its rich collection and dynamic activities make it a key destination for art enthusiasts, students, researchers, and visitors seeking to experience a broad spectrum of visual culture.
Established in 1939, it serves both the university community and the general public, with free admission that encourages broad access to the arts.
Location and FacilitiesThe museum is housed within the Visual Arts Complex at 1085 18th Street in Boulder, Colorado.
It is centrally positioned on the CU Boulder campus, making it easily reachable by foot, bicycle, or public transit.
Visitors who arrive by car typically use the nearby Euclid Parking Garage at 1725 Euclid Avenue, a short walk from the museum entrance.
The museum’s physical space includes multiple galleries designed for rotating exhibitions, a Collection Study Center for research and teaching, and facilities to support conservation and educational programs.
The Collection Study Center is equipped as a “smart classroom” to facilitate hands-on engagement with artworks for students and scholars.
It can accommodate around 20 people and provides resources such as a research library filled with catalogs, monographs, and other specialized materials related to the museum’s holdings.
Hours of OperationRegular visiting hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
During the university’s spring and fall semesters, the museum extends its hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7:00 PM to accommodate students and evening visitors.
The museum remains closed on Sundays, Mondays, and all University of Colorado Boulder holidays, ensuring alignment with academic schedules.
Collection OverviewThe CU Art Museum’s collection is comprehensive, with over 12,500 objects spanning more than 10,000 years of human history and creativity.
The diversity of its holdings is one of its defining characteristics, allowing it to present a wide range of artistic traditions and cultural expressions.
The collection is organized into several major categories:Ancient and Classical Art: This section features artifacts such as Greek pottery and Roman glass, representing the artistic achievements of ancient civilizations and offering insight into their cultural and historical contexts.
Art of the Americas: Covering a broad geographic area, this portion of the collection includes 19th- and 20th-century paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs.
It highlights both indigenous and settler art traditions from North, Central, and South America.
Asian Art: The museum holds a variety of Asian artworks, ranging from Neolithic objects to contemporary pieces, showcasing the rich visual cultures of regions including East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Modern and Contemporary Art: Encompassing a wide range of media-drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, photography, video, and digital art-this category reflects developments in art from the 20th century to the present, including experimental and multimedia works.
The Sharkive: A unique and internationally recognized collection of over 2,700 prints created in the studio of Bud and Barbara Shark.
This archive highlights the printmaking processes and innovations developed by these artists and their collaborators.
Educational Role and Community EngagementThe CU Art Museum functions as a dynamic educational resource integral to the academic mission of the University of Colorado Boulder.
It actively supports interdisciplinary scholarship, cultural dialogue, and experiential learning through various programs and initiatives:Course-Related Exhibitions and Programming: The museum collaborates with faculty across disciplines to design exhibitions and programs that complement university courses.
This integration enriches students’ understanding by connecting classroom learning with direct engagement with artworks.
Student Training: The museum offers practical training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in museum studies, curatorial work, conservation, and art history, fostering professional development and hands-on experience.
Artist-in-Residence Program: This initiative invites contemporary artists to engage with the university community through studio practice, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions, enriching the museum’s creative environment.
Community Outreach: Through traveling exhibitions and public programs, the museum extends its reach beyond campus, connecting diverse audiences with art and cultural heritage.
These efforts promote accessibility and cultural exchange within the broader Boulder area and beyond.
Conservation and Digitization: The museum maintains a commitment to preserving its collection through conservation efforts and making its holdings digitally accessible to researchers, educators, and the public worldwide.
Recent and Upcoming ExhibitionsAs of mid-2025, the CU Art Museum has undergone temporary closure for installation work and is scheduled to reopen with new exhibitions on August 5, 2025.
Prior to this closure, two notable exhibitions were featured:Hello Friend: This exhibition explored the friendships and artistic collaborations among groups of artists active during the mid to late 20th century.
It highlighted how social connections influenced creative output and cultural movements.
Better Days: This exhibition showcased artists’ responses to periods of uncertainty and social upheaval, reflecting on themes of resilience, hope, and transformation through visual art.
These exhibitions typify the museum’s focus on socially engaged and historically significant art, linking contemporary concerns with broader cultural narratives.
Research ResourcesThe CU Art Museum is a valuable research resource, particularly through its Collection Study Center.
This facility allows students, scholars, and researchers to study original artworks in detail, supported by a comprehensive library of scholarly materials.
The museum encourages academic inquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration by providing access to its collections and specialized resources.
In summary, the CU Art Museum is a vital institution within the University of Colorado Boulder and the Boulder community.
It balances its role as a steward of historical and contemporary art with its mission to educate, inspire, and engage diverse audiences through exhibitions, programs, and scholarly resources.
Its rich collection and dynamic activities make it a key destination for art enthusiasts, students, researchers, and visitors seeking to experience a broad spectrum of visual culture.
