Joslyn Art Museum
Museum Art museum in Omaha with beaux-arts architecture
Omaha art museum with permanent collections, rotating exhibitions and an outdoor sculpture garden; draws visitors for American and European art and public programs.
The Joslyn Art Museum is the principal art museum in Omaha, Nebraska, established and opened in 1931. It is known for its comprehensive collections spanning antiquity to contemporary art and for its landmark building.
Galleries display European and American paintings, works on paper, sculpture and decorative arts along with 20th-century and contemporary pieces. The building and its interior spaces are notable examples of early 20th-century museum architecture and house rotating temporary exhibitions and educational programs.
Funded and founded by Sarah Joslyn in the early 20th century, the museum opened in 1931 to provide public access to significant fine art and cultural programming for the Omaha region.
Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the museum sits near the city’s cultural and civic quarters and is reachable by local transit and car.
- Opening and founder: Housed in an Art Deco-era building that opened to the public in 1931, the museum was founded through the philanthropy of Sarah Joslyn.
- Scope of collections: Collections cover a broad range from antiquities through European and American painting to 20th-century and contemporary works, making it Omaha's principal art museum.
How to Get to Joslyn Art Museum #
Joslyn sits on Omaha’s Dodge Street near the University of Nebraska Omaha and the Riverfront. From downtown Omaha or the Old Market, it’s about a 10-15 minute drive. Metro bus routes serve Dodge Street; parking is available on-site and along adjacent streets. The nearest major landmark is the Gene Leahy Mall and the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge across the Missouri.
Tips for Visiting Joslyn Art Museum #
- Visit on a Thursday evening if the museum has extended hours for a quieter experience in the permanent collection.
- Don't miss the third-floor observation terrace - many visitors skip it but it offers an unexpected view over Omaha's Old Market and the Missouri River corridor.
- Check the schedule for docent talks; the museum's highlights tour is short and focused and will point out works most people walk past.
Best Time to Visit Joslyn Art Museum #
Indoor attraction with year-round access; aim for weekday mornings or extended Thursday hours to avoid groups.
Weather & Climate near Joslyn Art Museum #
Joslyn Art Museum's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -11°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (783 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -11°C. The driest month with just 19 mm.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -7°C. Light rainfall.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (110 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -8°C. Light rainfall.
