Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Museum Major art museum in Richmond with diverse collections
Richmond’s major art museum with collections from antiquity to modern art and a sculpture garden; visitors come for rotating exhibitions, galleries and museum programming.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a state art museum in Richmond, Virginia, established in 1936 as the Commonwealth’s public art museum. It serves as a major cultural institution for the region and holds collections across multiple periods and media.
Gallery spaces include permanent collection displays and rotating special exhibitions across modern and historic art forms, plus on-site outdoor sculpture and public spaces. The museum completed a major campus expansion and renovation that opened in 2010, increasing gallery and public space.
The museum was founded by the Commonwealth of Virginia and expanded over the 20th and early 21st centuries to broaden its collections and visitor facilities. Its 2010 expansion added new galleries and visitor amenities to the existing campus.
The museum sits on the west side of Richmond near the Monument Avenue and Fan District areas, with easy access from central Richmond and major roads. It is located within the city’s cultural corridor and is accessible by car and public transit.
- Admission: General admission to the museum's permanent collections is free; special exhibitions may charge a fee.
How to Get to Virginia Museum of Fine Arts #
From downtown Richmond, VMFA is a short drive (5-10 minutes) or a 20-30 minute walk along Boulevard. Street parking and museum lots are available; several city bus routes stop nearby.
Tips for Visiting Virginia Museum of Fine Arts #
- Plan for at least two hours: the museum's international collections and the Fabergé galleries are worth pacing.
- Visit the sculpture garden and the McKinnon and McGlothlin wings for modern and contemporary art that contrast with the encyclopedic collection.
- Check the museum calendar for evening programs and late openings (VMFA often hosts free Friday nights during exhibitions).
Best Time to Visit Virginia Museum of Fine Arts #
Indoor galleries are accessible year-round; spring and fall offer pleasant conditions for exploring the museum's outdoor sculpture and nearby Richmond neighborhoods.
Weather & Climate near Virginia Museum of Fine Arts #
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1099 mm/year), wettest in August, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (106 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
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