Chazen Museum of ArtAbout Chazen Museum of Art
The Chazen Museum of Art is the public art museum of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, located on the university campus; it was renamed and expanded following a major gift from Jerome and Simona Chazen in 2005.
The museum’s holdings total more than 20,000 works, covering European, American, and Asian art along with substantial holdings of prints and drawings. Galleries present selections from the permanent collection alongside rotating temporary exhibitions and special installations.
The museum traces its origins to the university’s long-established art collection and earlier campus museum activities; the Chazen name reflects the private donation that financed the museum’s expansion and reorganization.
It sits on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus in Madison, Wisconsin, and functions as the university’s principal public art museum.
- Admission: Free public admission is offered, making the museum accessible to students and the wider community.
- Collection size: Holds a collection of more than 20,000 works spanning European, American, Asian, and contemporary art as well as prints and drawings.
- Renaming and expansion: Renamed and expanded following a major gift from Jerome and Simona Chazen, which funded an installation and renovation of the museum campus facilities.
Best Time to Visit Chazen Museum of Art
Open year-round; visit during the academic year for lectures and student-curated events, and in spring/fall for comfortable weather around campus.
Weather & Climate near Chazen Museum of Art
Chazen Museum of Art's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -13°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (828 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -13° - -3° | -15° | 30 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -11° - 0° | -11° | 29 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -5° - 6° | -4° | 56 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 1° - 13° | 4° | 81 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 7° - 20° | 14° | 85 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 13° - 26° | 19° | 100 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 16° - 28° | 22° | 99 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 15° - 27° | 21° | 104 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 11° - 23° | 17° | 88 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 5° - 16° | 10° | 58 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -2° - 7° | -1° | 56 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -9° - 0° | -10° | 42 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Chazen Museum of Art
Located on the UW-Madison campus near the Memorial Union; accessible by city bus routes, campus shuttles, and on-foot from downtown Madison. Street parking and campus lots are nearby but can be limited during the academic year.
Tips for Visiting Chazen Museum of Art
- Check the museum's schedule for free public programs and gallery talks - the Chazen runs frequent events tied to exhibitions.
- Look for prints and works on paper in the collection galleries; they are among the museum's strengths.
- Campus parking can be limited; use the university shuttle or public transport when possible.