Walker Art Center

Home to magnificent pieces from artists such as Picasso, Warhol and Moore, to name a few, a trip to the Walker Art Center is a must on your visit to Minnesota and St. Paul. Fascinating exhibitions feature world-famous artists and their thought-provoking contributions.

As you approach the museum you'll notice the giant spoon bridge with a cherry-shaped fountain. This striking sculpture is frequently used in promotional material for the Twin Cities. You will find it located in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which shares the grounds with the centre.

In 1879, lumber tycoon Thomas Walker invited the public to view his personal collection of paintings in a room of his house, which developed into the Walker Art Center. In 1927 it moved to its current location where it has remained ever since.

The grounds span 7 hectares and include cultivated parks, the magnificent sculpture garden as well as the centre itself. Wander through the halls admiring the various rooms of original and startling artwork. Check out the fringe art for some bizarre pieces that will pique your curiosity. Over in the Visual Arts Study Collection you can follow the development of the fascinating artistic process, all the way from draft work to finished piece.

A highlight of the Walker Art Center is the Ruben/Bentson Film and Video Study Collection. Here you'll find over 900 productions of moving-image art, which is an amalgamation of film, digital animations and new media. Post-WW II American movies and old silent films are examples of what you can expect to see. These are generally screened during the day however if you visit at night you might be lucky enough to catch one of the many performance art shows.

Located in the centre of Minneapolis, the Walker Art Center is open Tuesdays to Sunday with late opening Thursday night. It's free for children under 18 and for everybody on the first Saturday of every month, which is when art classes and kid activities are organised. There are free guided and audio tours every weekend.