Enjoy it while visiting Roanoke in Virginia
The Taubman Museum of Art stands as one of the most distinctive cultural landmarks in southwestern Virginia, drawing visitors from across the region with its striking avant-garde architecture and diverse collection of American art. Located at 110 Salem Avenue SE in downtown Roanoke, the museum provides free general admission daily, making it an accessible destination for art enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.
The museum’s current home opened in 2008, designed by the renowned architect Randall Stout whose bold, contemporary design immediately set the building apart from Roanoke’s historic downtown streetscape. The structure’s sweeping curves and dramatic glass elements created considerable debate during its planning stages, though the building has since earned international architectural praise and become a beloved symbol of the city’s cultural renaissance.
The institution traces its roots to 1951 when the Roanoke Fine Arts Center was incorporated as an independent organization. For the first several years, the center operated out of the city of Roanoke’s main library, hosting traveling exhibitions and building community support for the arts. In 1954, the organization secured its first dedicated space on Franklin Road before moving to a donated building at the corner of 25th Street and Carolina Avenue in South Roanoke. A significant chapter began in 1965 when the Roanoke Fine Arts Center and the Junior League of Roanoke Valley purchased Cherry Hill, a former residential home that would serve as the museum’s home for nearly two decades. The first exhibition at this new location featured works by Thomas Eakins, borrowed from his Roanoke relatives, a connection that proved formative for the institution’s collecting interests.
In 1979, the museum changed its name to the Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts and relocated in 1983 to the Center in the Square building in downtown Roanoke, a move that brought the institution into the heart of the city’s cultural district. The museum underwent another transformation in 1992, becoming the Art Museum of Western Virginia. By the late 1990s, the museum had outgrown its space and began planning for a new facility that would better serve the region’s growing artistic interests.
The museum’s permanent collection focuses primarily on American art, spanning from colonial portraiture to contemporary works. Visitors can explore galleries featuring paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media installations that reflect the breadth and complexity of the American artistic experience. The museum’s contemporary art galleries showcase rotating exhibitions of work by regionally and nationally recognized artists, with each year bringing new perspectives and fresh voices to the gallery spaces.
Thomas Eakins holds a special place in the museum’s collection and history. The Peggy Macdowell Thomas bequest of 2001 brought 27 works associated with Eakins and his circle to the museum, significantly strengthening its holdings of 19th and early 20th-century American art. Randall Stout’s architecture itself is a major attraction, with flowing exterior forms that echo the rolling hills of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, while interior spaces are filled with natural light that shifts throughout the day.
The museum’s downtown Roanoke location puts it within easy walking distance of other cultural attractions, including the historic Roanoke City Market and the celebrated Roanoke Star, which sits atop Mill Mountain overlooking the city. Free daily admission makes the museum particularly attractive for families and budget-conscious travelers, with a range of educational programs including guided tours, artist talks, and hands-on workshops for children and adults.
Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, offering visitors a more contemplative experience as they explore the galleries at their own pace, while spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather for combining a museum visit with downtown exploration. First-time visitors should allow at least two hours to explore the museum’s main galleries and take in the building’s distinctive architecture.