The Taubman Museum of Art

The Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke, Virginia is the region's preeminent fine arts institution and a landmark of contemporary architecture in the mid-Atlantic. The museum's building, designed by Randall Stout Architects and completed in 2008, is a sculptural structure of zinc, steel, and glass whose undulating rooflines reference the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain ridgelines visible from the downtown core. The permanent collection comprises approximately 3,000 objects spanning American art from the colonial period to the present, with particular strength in nineteenth-century American landscapes, Appalachian folk art, and works by Virginia artists. The Appalachian Traditions Gallery presents craft traditions unique to the mountain region — quilts, pottery, and woodworking — alongside fine art representations of the Appalachian landscape and people. Rotating special exhibitions have included major traveling shows from the Smithsonian and international collections, and are presented in dedicated upper-level galleries with a separate modest admission charge. The main atrium serves as a community gathering space and hosts events, performances, and public programming throughout the year. General admission to the permanent collection is free, making the museum one of the most accessible cultural institutions in Virginia outside of Richmond or Washington. The museum is located in downtown Roanoke within walking distance of the historic City Market and integrates naturally with a broader day exploring the Arts Row district along Salem Avenue.