Chazen Museum of Art

About this museum

At the University of Wisconsin - Madison, one of the great research universities in the world, the Chazen Museum of Art occupies a position at the intersection of academic ambition and public generosity that few university art museums can match. With a permanent collection exceeding 20, 000 works spanning antiquity to the present, the Chazen offers a breadth of artistic encounter that would distinguish any city museum - and it's free to everyone, every day it's open.The collection's range is genuinely remarkable: ancient Greek pottery sits alongside medieval tapestries, European prints by Rembrandt and Dürer share space with American modernist painting, and a strong photography collection extends the museum's reach into the twentieth century. Rotating exhibitions bring fresh scholarly perspectives and new acquisitions into conversation with the permanent holdings, ensuring that repeat visitors - and there are many among Madison's academic community - always find something new to engage with.Located at 750 University Avenue on the western edge of the UW campus, the Chazen is architecturally notable as well, its spacious galleries designed to let natural light play across the collection in ways that enhance the viewing experience. The building's position on the campus landscape makes it an easy addition to any walk through UW's lakeside grounds.With a 4.7 rating from 963 reviewers - a substantial number reflecting the museum's genuine popularity with both the campus community and visiting Madisonians - the Chazen has established itself as one of the city's finest cultural destinations. Hours run Monday through Thursday from 10AM to 7PM, with weekend hours of 11AM to 5PM on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, confirmed at chazen.wisc.edu, making this one of the best arguments for spending an afternoon in a university town. The Chazen is, simply put, extraordinary for what it offers at no cost.