Museums, Galleries, and Libraries
University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA)
525 South State St.
Phone: 763-UMMA
Founded in 1946, UMMA is considered one of the most important university art museums in the country. Its collections of nearly 18,000 works of art in the Western, Asian, and African traditions include works by most of the great masters and represent the key schools and movements in these cultures. Its collections of works by Whistler and Picasso, and of Chinese paintings, Japanese prints, Korean ceramics, and Congolese sculpture are among the finest in North America.
In March 2009, the University of Michigan Museum of Art opened a landmark 53,000-square-foot expansion and major restoration of its historic, 41,000-square-foot home, Alumni Memorial Hall. The transformation not only more than doubled the space available for collections display, temporary exhibitions, programs and educational exploration, but also fulfilled the Museum’s mission to bridge visual art and contemporary culture, scholarship and accessibility, tradition and innovation.
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
34 South State Street
Phone: 764-9304
Housed in one of the oldest buildings on campus, the Kelsey Museum exhibits include artifacts retrieved at the University’s excavations in the Mediterranean and Near East. Exhibits feature textiles, sculpture, coins, glass, inscriptions, building materials, and pottery from Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern civilizations. Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed Monday. There is no admission charge, although donations are accepted.
Exhibit Museum of Natural History
1109 Geddes Avenue
Phone: 764-0480
Located next to the main University bus stop on North University, the Exhibit Museum features exhibits on prehistoric life and dinosaurs, Michigan wildlife, anthropology and Native American cultures, astronomy, geology, biology, ecology, and zoology. Hours: Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed major holidays. The Museum also features a Planetarium and Museum Shop; advance reservations are required for groups. Free admission for individuals and families. Friends of the Museum receive substantial discounts on planetarium shows and at the store.
Exhibit Museum Planetarium
1109 Geddes Avenue (inside Exhibit Museum)
Phone: 764-0480
The Planetarium features weekend shows that are open to all ages. Most show times are on Saturdays and Sundays. Call 764-0480 for descriptions, times and special weekday offerings. Tickets are $4.75 per person. Advance reservations are required for weekday group shows.
Jean Paul Slusser Gallery
2000 Bonisteel Boulevard
Phone: 936-2082
The Gallery, located in the Art and Architecture Building, maintains a schedule of frequently changing exhibitions, including work by students, faculty, and visiting artists and designers, as well as traveling exhibitions from other institutions. The focus of the exhibitions is on contemporary art and design. The Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission is free.
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
220 East Ann Street
Phone: 995-5439
Located in the old fire station building, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is a children’s museum featuring interactive exhibits and experiments. Fun for all ages!
Ann Arbor District Library
Phone: (734) 327-4200
Provides free service to all those living in the Ann Arbor School District (with proof of residency, so bring your lease). It has a number of special features, including fiction and non-fiction sections, unusual magazines, sheet music, a wide array of computerized resources, and framed art prints that you can rent. In addition to the main branch, the Ann Arbor District Library has four other locations: the Mallets Creek Branch, 3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway; the Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traverwood Dr.; the West Branch, 2503 Jackson Rd.; and the Pittsfield Branch, 2359 Oak Valley Dr.