Minneapolis Institute of Art

Museum Major art museum housing global collections

The Minneapolis Institute of Art houses a broad collection spanning world art, with rotating exhibitions and educational programs. Visitors come for European paintings, Asian art and free general admission options.

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The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) is a major art museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 1883 and housing a collection that spans several thousand years and diverse cultures. Its holdings number in the tens of thousands of objects and cover painting, sculpture, textiles, decorative arts and more.

Substantial European and American painting and sculpture holdings, a well-regarded Asian art collection, and rotating exhibitions drawn from both the permanent collection and international loans. The museum also runs educational programs, lectures and temporary exhibitions that change throughout the year.

The institute was established by local patrons and grew through donations and acquisitions; it has undergone several expansions and renovations to increase gallery space and public facilities. It sits in Minneapolis near the intersection of the Whittier neighborhood and Loring Park, within the city of Minneapolis.

  • Admission: General admission to the museum's permanent collection is free, with a charge for special exhibitions and events.

What to See #

  • European and American galleries: Galleries for European and American art holding paintings, works on paper and sculpture spanning several centuries and highlight European masters and important American artists.
  • Asian art collection: Extensive Asian art galleries with ceramics, paintings and sculptures representing East, South and Southeast Asia across a wide chronological range.
  • Specialty collections: Specialty departments for textiles, contemporary art, and decorative arts that support rotating exhibitions and loans.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA
44.9586, -93.2742
Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, Thu 10am-9pm, closed Mondays
Free general admission; special exhibitions may charge

Tips for Visiting Minneapolis Institute of Art #

  • Take advantage of free general admission to the Minneapolis Institute of Art for the permanent collection and plan visits around special‑exhibit openings (which may charge a fee) - checking the museum calendar in advance avoids disappointment.
  • Arrive mid‑morning on a weekday to avoid school groups and peak weekend crowds; the main entrance on 3rd Avenue South leads directly into the central galleries and the information desk can point you to quieter highlights such as the Asian and contemporary collections.

Best Time to Visit Minneapolis Institute of Art #

For the Minneapolis Institute of Art, aim for weekday mornings and off-peak months (Jan-Feb or mid-week outside school holidays) to avoid crowds and enjoy galleries at a relaxed pace.

Peak (summer & school holidays)
Jun-Aug; mid-Dec · 15 to 28 °C (approx.)
The museum sees higher visitor numbers during summer and school breaks; expect busier galleries and family-oriented programming.
Off-peak (weekday mornings & early-year lull)
Jan-Feb; Sep-Nov · −15 to 15 °C (approx.)
Fewer visitors make weekday mornings and the early part of the year ideal for a quieter visit and easier access to special exhibits.
Shoulder seasons
Mar-May · 0 to 15 °C (approx.)
Moderate crowds and pleasant outside temperatures for combining a museum visit with nearby Minneapolis attractions.

Weather & Climate near Minneapolis Institute of Art #

Climate

Minneapolis Institute 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 -16°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (761 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 34 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulySeptemberAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
-39°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -5°C and lows of -16°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-16° -5°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.1h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -12°C. The driest month with just 19 mm and partly cloudy skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-12° -1°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-5°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
15°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
13.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
22°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

86 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.6h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
14° 27°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

112 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).

81 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° 29°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
15.0h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
16° 28°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
Very High
13.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 22°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
16°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.8h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -12°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-12° -3°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

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