The museum houses a premier collection of art from the Himalayas, representing the largest public collection of this type in the United States.
The collection of Fabergé items at the VMFA was largely donated by Lillian Thomas Pratt, who acquired them during the 1930s.
The museum grounds feature a sculpture garden with works by Dale Chihuly and Sol LeWitt.
The building's design includes a 'floating' staircase made of glass and steel that serves as a central architectural feature.
VMFA was the first art museum in the American South to be state-supported when it opened in 1936.
The museum's holdings include rare artifacts from the Dahomey Kingdom, illustrating complex West African historical narratives.
The permanent collection size exceeds 50,000 objects, necessitating a rotating display schedule.
The museum features a dedicated gallery specifically for the study and display of fine silver from the Virginia region.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) is a world-renowned institution housing an encyclopedic art collection spanning over 5,000 years of global history. It holds the largest public collection of Fabergé eggs outside of Russia, featuring five Imperial eggs. The permanent collection includes significant works by Pablo Picasso, Francisco Goya, and Georges Braque alongside ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities. The museum serves as a major repository for American art, with dedicated galleries for Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and mid-century modern pieces. Recent expansions include the Mary Morton Parsons Wing and the E. Claiborne and Lilibet Robins Sculpture Garden. The museum is a state-supported institution, ensuring that general admission to the permanent collection remains free to the public. It functions as a research center with an extensive library and a dedicated conservation department. The architecture integrates a contemporary glass-and-steel façade with historic brick elements in Richmond's Museum District. It hosts rotating special exhibitions that often include international loans.
The glass atrium staircase provides a geometric, light-filled backdrop.
Download the museum app before arriving to access digital maps and gallery guides.
Check the 'What's On' calendar on the official website to see which temporary galleries require separate exhibition tickets.
Visit the sculpture garden via the side entrance to avoid the main lobby congestion during peak times.
Trying to see every gallery in a single day, which leads to fatigue; prioritize specific wings based on interest.
Open daily; check the website for occasional closures during major federal holidays.
No flash photography in designated galleries; food and drink are restricted to designated café and restaurant areas.
