Harn Museum of Art - Gainesville, Florida

sierra K.

This is a lovely and very airy art museum. They have a pretty diverse collection and the collection includes some big name artists too. I would definitely recommend stopping in. I do have two minor complaints; one is the wall of Asian art pieces did not have descriptive placards next to the pieces. There was a book to look through to find information, but the information was sparse. Second, while I appreciate the need to change up the collection from time to time, they had no artwork from their permanent collection of African art on display. Overall, my favorite room was the Florida artwork. I enjoyed seeing this beautiful state shown in different styles and viewpoints.

KJ H.

5-Star Review for the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art – UF Gainesville

The Harn Museum of Art is a true gem in Gainesville! The collection is diverse and beautifully curated, featuring everything from stunning African and Asian art to modern and contemporary masterpieces. The rotating exhibitions keep things fresh, ensuring there’s always something new and inspiring to see.

The museum is spacious, well-organized, and free to visit, making it an excellent stop for art lovers and casual visitors alike. The staff is knowledgeable and welcoming, and the serene outdoor gardens add an extra layer of beauty to the experience.

Whether you’re exploring on your own or with family and friends, the Harn Museum offers a peaceful and enriching visit. I highly recommend stopping by—this museum is an absolute must-see in Gainesville!

The art museum adjacent to the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville is the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. Located within the University of Florida’s Cultural Plaza, the Harn Museum is one of the largest university art museums in the southeastern United States, boasting a 108,800-square-foot facility with 10 gallery spaces. 

The museum’s permanent collection features over 11,300 works, focusing on African, Asian, modern and contemporary art, as well as photography. Visitors can explore a diverse range of exhibitions that rotate frequently, ensuring there’s always something new to see. 

Admission to the Harn Museum is free. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, with extended hours on Thursday evenings until 9 pm for “Art After Dark.” On Sundays, the museum operates from 1 pm to 5 pm, and it is closed on Mondays. 

The Harn Museum also offers various programs and resources for visitors of all ages, including educational activities, a resource library, and special events. Additionally, the museum features the Camellia Court Café and a museum store for guests to enjoy. 

Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a casual visitor, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art provides a rich cultural experience that complements a visit to the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Ryan

First of all let me just say THIS IS FREE. FREE.99. 100% OFF. And that’s a lot for what you get, beautiful paintings and sculptures, highly recommended the Asian culture section if you’re into different religions and mythology’s like myself

L P.

My husband and I enjoy visiting art museums and Harn was a great addition to our list. Parking is free (parking deck a short walk away) and there's paid parking if you find any free spots in the nearby parking lot. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Once we walked into the museum, a friendly front desk person greeted us and told us about the scannable map of the location. Then, we went off and explored what exhibits were on display. My favorite part was the Asian art section.

The facilities are excellently kept and clean. The women's bathrooms were spotless. There are also staff walking around at all times to ensure the art is being respected. It had a lot of empty space, which was different than other galleries and museums we've been to. Not sure if that was a good or bad thing, but it was interesting to see how the space was utilized.

It was starting to rain when we arrived and there were only a few visitors (maybe 10) that we encountered (it was Saturday around 230pm). When we left (around 330pm), more guests were arriving, so we were glad to see the displays when it was mostly empty.

Highly recommend for adults, but kids might get bored since there isn't much interactivity here as say, the Florida Museum of Natural History, just next door.

Caden P.

What a treat this place is for the city of Gainesville. #1 it has an amazing and often changing selection of pieces to admire. #2 there is no cost of admission. #3 it gives lazy guys like me a simple, free, and elegant first date location. The collection is quite impressive and they do keep some dedicated rooms for different regions of the world and even some very nice watercolors of Florida sunrises. Beautiful atmosphere, friendly staff, clean facilities, amazing place all around.

Anurag

Pretty good museum with many interesting exhibits, paintings and events.

There's a hidden section in the basement of this building where some PG13+ art is displayed.

The best sections among the exhibits are the Asian and African sections. The Asian section has beautiful sculptures, jewelry and pottery from India, Japan and China. The African section has super cool masks, head gear and weaponry from ancient and contemporary African tribes.

Paintings are also worth having a look at, especially the impressionist and the Florida paintings sections.

Some events are cool and have a lot of fun stuff to enjoy like dances, stories, and stalls showing you how to make some art or painting from that culture. Other events are very meh.

The website will help you get an idea of which events are really worth checking out.

Best of all, it's free to the public.

amy A.

Y'all! This museum is free! There's absolutely no excuse for you to not come here. I wasn't expecting their Florida collection - it was truly glorious. Two thumbs up, and I definitely want to go back.

Kendra G.

The Harn has a large art and other interesting objects collection. The museum is spacious and well staffed. The Harn provides a monthly engaging evening event which we frequently enjoy. The exhibits and events are generally geared to all age groups. Definitely worth a visit!