The Mississippi Museum of Art, located at 380 South Lamar Street in downtown Jackson, is the state's largest art museum and the primary institution for visual art in Mississippi. The museum was founded in 1911 and has grown into a substantial cultural anchor for the capital city, housing a permanent collection of more than 4,500 works with particular strengths in Mississippi art, American art from the 19th and 20th centuries, and photography.
The current building, opened in 2007, is a contemporary structure integrated with a public art park along Lamar Street. The Wyeth Exhibition Gallery serves as the main venue for traveling exhibitions from major American museums, which rotate throughout the year and frequently bring nationally significant shows to Jackson. The permanent galleries include the Mississippi Art Collection — a comprehensive survey of art made in or about Mississippi from the antebellum period to the present — and a photography collection that includes important documentary works from the Civil Rights era in the state.
The Atrium, a skylit common space at the center of the building, hosts performances, public programs, and community events throughout the year. An outdoor sculpture garden extends the museum's footprint along the streetscape of South Lamar Street. The museum's café provides lunch service on weekdays and select weekend days.
Special exhibitions are ticketed separately from the permanent collection on a variable-rate basis; the permanent galleries are covered by the standard admission price. The museum is closed on Mondays. Visitors with an interest in Southern art or photography will find the permanent collection worth 1.5 to 2 hours of their time; a major traveling exhibition can extend a visit considerably.
Good to know
- Hours
- Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM; closed Monday
- Best time
- Weekday afternoons; check msmuseumart.org for special exhibitions
Location
380 S Lamar St, Jackson, MS 39201
32.2968, -90.1849 View on map
Highlights
- Mississippi Art Collection — comprehensive survey of visual art made in or about Mississippi across two centuries
- Major rotating exhibitions from national institutions displayed in the Wyeth Exhibition Gallery
- Civil Rights-era documentary photography collection of significant historical depth
- Skylit atrium hosting public programs, performances, and community events
- Outdoor sculpture garden integrated into the South Lamar Street streetscape
Tips for visiting
- Check msmuseumart.org for current traveling exhibitions before visiting — major shows can significantly enhance a trip.
- Admission covers the permanent collection; traveling exhibitions may carry a separate ticket price.
- Weekday afternoons are quieter than weekends; the museum draws families on Saturday mornings.
- The museum café serves lunch on weekdays — a practical stop on a downtown Jackson cultural itinerary.
- Paid parking is available in the adjacent lot on Lamar Street; the museum is walkable from the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (0.2 miles).
When to visit
Weekday afternoons offer the quietest experience in the permanent galleries. Check the museum's events calendar for evening openings and free-admission days, which occur periodically throughout the year.
Accessibility
The museum is fully wheelchair accessible with ground-level entry from the parking lot, elevator access to all floors, and accessible restrooms on each level. The outdoor sculpture garden path is paved and accessible.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Mississippi Museum of Art take?
The permanent collection takes 1.5 to 2 hours. A major traveling exhibition can add another hour. A full visit with both permanent and temporary galleries typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours.
Is the Mississippi Museum of Art good for children?
Yes. The museum has family-oriented programming and the open atrium space is engaging for younger visitors. The outdoor sculpture garden is particularly appealing for children.
Is photography allowed in the museum?
Photography of the permanent collection is permitted for personal use. Photography in traveling exhibitions is subject to the lending institution's restrictions — check at the gallery entrance.