Situated on the 152-acre Newfield campus, the Indianapolis Museum of Art is one of the largest museums in the country. With over 5,000 years of art history held on-site, ever-changing new exhibitions complement an exhaustive permanent collection of around 54,000 works. With classes and tours available at the complex, this world-class museum is the kind of place that rewards multiple visits to explore and uncover the full range of what is displayed.

Discover a World of Creativity at the Indianapolis Museum of Art
European Collections
The museum’s European Painting and Sculpture collection are split broadly into two sections — works from before 1800 and works from between 1800-1945. In the former, visitors can find renowned pieces like Jusepe de Ribera’s “Aristotle,” Turner’s “The Fifth Plague of England”, and Willem Kalf’s incredible oil painting “Still Life with a Chinese Porcelain Jar”. While the latter contains works by luminaries such as Picasso, Monet, Chagall, and Matisse. It’s a stunning collection of Old Masters, Neo-impressionists, and more.
American Collection
The American Collection focuses on American Impressionism and Modernism. Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Jimson Weed” and “Pelvis with the Distance” are of particular note, while the rich landscape of Winslow Homer’s “Boat Builders” and the tranquil realism of Edward Hoopers “Hotel Lobby” are some of the best examples of the form. If there is one piece from this collection that guests to the museum make sure they visit, it’s Alfred Thomson Bircher’s painted sunrise of the Atlantic Ocean “Morning at Grand Manan”.
Textile and Fashion Art Collections
This 7,000-plus piece collection boasts fabrics, silks, and antique laces, with some items 500 years old. Gathered from all over the world, guests can view African textiles and rugs, Chinese bridal coats — and even 20th-century couture costumes from French fashion houses Givenchy, Balmain, and Chanel. Other notable pieces on display are an Imperial Russian court dress by Charles Fredrick Worth and a great collection of Japanese Kimonos. This collection is a must-see for fashion lovers.
Art from Around the World
The IMA has an enviable collection of both Asian and African Art. Japanese Edo period pieces like Nakagawa Hachirō’s “Cherry Blossom Festival” and a host of work from the esteemed artist Utagawa Hiroshige and joined by stunning ink paper drawings by Zhāng Hóng dating from the 1700s. The African art section features a vast array of ceremonial headdresses, jewelry, commemorative posts, and sculptures. Egyptian artifacts are also included, with beads, slates, and scarabs on display.
Contemporary Art
More recently, the IMA has focused its energies on collecting and displaying contemporary art. Look out for works like the outstanding Briget Riley’s “Broken Circle”, “#17-1962” by John McLaughlin, and the fantastic sculpture “Two White Dots in the Air” by Alexander Calder. The Pulliam Great Hall hosts a permanent installation of “Light and Space III” by Robert Irwin. The museum rotates site-specific installations every six months. For art that is a bit more contemporary, why not come down to Ed Martin Nissan on North Shadeland Avenue today? You’ll find some are some breathtaking pieces on display!


