5 things we love about the Speed Art Museum
COURTESY PHOTOS
When the Speed Art Museum reopened in 2016 following a massive, three-year closure for renovation and expansion, guests were mesmerized by the changes. Today, the Speed continues to evolve into a place where great art meets great community, with a focus on exhibitions, events, film, food, and more, that draws families, art lovers, and the entire community to its iconic building.When the Speed Art Museum reopened in 2016 following a massive, three-year closure for renovation and expansion, guests were mesmerized by the changes. Today, the Speed continues to evolve into a place where great art meets great community, with a focus on exhibitions, events, film, food, and more, that draws families, art lovers, and the entire community to its iconic building.
If you haven’t visited recently, here’s a primer on some of our favorite things about the Speed Art Museum: Art for All – The Speed Art Museum is Kentucky’s oldest and largest art museum, covering 6,000 years of art from around the world. From ancient Egyptian art, to the European Masters, including Rembrandt and Monet, to modern classics and more, the Speed invites everyone to experience art for all. Thanks to a generous grant from Brown-Forman, the Speed offers free admission to all every Sunday from 12-5 p.m.
FREE Admission for IUS Students – Thanks to a partnership between The Speed and Indiana University, IUS faculty and students with a current student ID receive free admission through Aug. 1, 2022. What are you waiting for? Go now!
Excellent Exhibitions – The Speed’s permanent collection is breathtaking in its quality and historical significance. The museum’s curators frequently rotate pieces from the expansive collection in storage to keep the art fresh and exciting as you visit time and again. The latest special exhibition on display is Tales from the Turf: The Kentucky Horse. If you love horses, don’t miss this first exhibition to examine Kentucky’s relationship to the horse through art. It features paintings, sculpture, photographs, drawings, prints, and manuscripts from Kentucky’s major private collections, all telling equine tales of Kentucky’s history with horses. Most of the collection has never been seen in public and is only on display until March 1, so hurry in for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this equine spectacular.
The Speed Cinema – Catching a flick takes on new meaning when you visit the Speed Cinema, which shows films you can’t see anywhere else in this area. Documentaries, independent masterpieces, foreign classics, and more are carefully curated to showcase the best in cinema.
A Museum on a Mission – In addition to the world class art, the Speed features dozens of events, tours, and activities for all ages every month. The popular After Hours adult evening event takes place every third Friday for mingling, drinks, food, music and of course, art. Each month features a different theme, with speakers, entertainment, cinema and more. Families are always welcome at the Speed, with a special focus on the tiniest visitors through Art Sparks’ hands on learning opportunities. New to the Speed are family Saturdays, with all Saturday programming focused around the family.
The Speed Art Museum
2035 S. Third St.
Louisville
502.634.2700
HOURS
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday
12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Closed Monday and Tuesday
ADMISSION
Members: Free
Adults: $18
Seniors (Age 60+): $12
Kids (Age 4-17): $12
Kids (Age 3 and under): Free
University of Louisville students, faculty, and staff: Free
Select area schools (including IUS): Free
College students with valid ID: $12
Military personnel: $12
