The original 1910 building was designed by the architectural firm Donaldson and Meier to serve as a memorial to University of Michigan alumni who served in the Mexican-American and Civil War.
The museum holds a substantial collection of Japanese prints, many of which were donated by the estates of early 20th-century collectors.
UMMA's Frankel Family Wing includes a transparent, glass-walled facade intended to visually connect the interior gallery spaces with the university's central campus life.
The collection features a significant array of traditional African art, particularly wood carvings and textiles, gathered through mid-20th-century anthropological research initiatives.
The museum serves as a repository for contemporary works by artists such as Kara Walker and Ed Ruscha, often acquired to reflect current social dialogues.
The University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) serves as one of the largest university art museums in the United States, housing a collection of over 21,000 objects. The museum occupies a unique architectural site that bridges the historic 1910 Alumni Memorial Hall with the contemporary Maxine and Stuart Frankel and the Frankel Family Wing, completed in 2009. Its holdings encompass global art spanning from the classical period to contemporary works, with significant concentrations in Asian art, African objects, and Western painting. The museum operates as a research center for the university, frequently rotating its galleries to showcase experimental and interdisciplinary exhibitions. Visitors move through integrated public spaces that serve as communal gathering points on the central campus.
The dramatic, light-filled grand staircase connecting the historic Alumni Memorial Hall to the modern glass-walled Frankel Wing.
Use the museum's online database to check if specific temporary exhibits are currently on display before arriving.
Visit the multipurpose 'UMMA Cafe' area to see how the architecture transitions between the historic and modern sections.
Check the university's event calendar for student-led tours that often occur during the academic semester.
Attempting to see the entire 21,000-piece collection in one visit, as only a small fraction is displayed at any given time.
Closed on Mondays and major national holidays.
Maintain a quiet volume and refrain from touching artwork; large bags must be stored in provided lockers.
