Yale University Art Gallery

One of the oldest college art museums in the world, the gallery was founded in 1832 when patriot-artist John Trumbull gave over 100 of his paintings to Yale College. Trumbull’s original paintings of the American Revolution are now joined by an encyclopedic collection of objects that range from ancient times to the present day and represent civilizations from around the globe. 

Special events include a weekly series for teens; storytelling for children; in-depth lecture series on artists and art; thematic, guided tours; and groundbreaking discussion programs.

William Benton Museum of Art, University of CT

The William Benton Museum of Art is Connecticut’s State art museum, located on the University of Connecticut campus at Storrs. Drawing largely from its collection of over 7,500 works of art, the museum presents exhibitions of art dating from the 15th through the 21st centuries. 

The museum also creates special exhibitions drawn from outside sources and loaned exhibitions. Special events include gallery talks, campus art walks, academic and non-academic discussions, musical performances, and family programs.

Weir Farm National Historical Park

The only National Park dedicated to American Impressionism was home to three generations of artists including Julian Alden Weir, a leading figure in 19th century art and America’s most beloved Impressionist. Weir described his home as the “Great Good Place.” Weir’s farm is a national legacy to American Impressionism, the creative spirit, and historic preservation.

Today the 68-acre park, which includes the Weir House, Weir and Young Studios, barns, gardens, and Weir Pond, welcomes everyone to experience the power of creating art in nature. Seasonal offerings include yoga in the garden, painting, pond hikes, wellness walks and more.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Located in the heart of Hartford, the Wadsworth is a great place to connect with amazing art. Home to nearly 50,000 works, the collection encompasses European art from antiquity through Modernism as well as American art from the 1600s through today. 

The museum is deeply engaged in the community; and hosts a series of programs including an artist residency, during which artists work closely with Hartford community groups to plan, develop, and execute a collaborative project. 

The Wadsworth is the oldest continuously operating public art museum in the United States, opening in 1844. Today, visitors find captivating and innovative programs mining the iconic holdings and offering new stories that illustrate the breadth and quality of the museum’s collection.

Slater Memorial Museum

Located on the historic campus of Norwich Free Academy, Slater Memorial Museum features a global collection of artwork and objects and several permanent galleries focusing on the art history of civilizations spanning thousands of years. 

The museum also features a gift shop and select juried exhibitions and special exhibits in designated mediums throughout the year.

Highlights include a unique, world-renowned and breathtaking plaster cast collection; a gallery dedicated to African art; and works by notable Norwich and Connecticut artists throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

New Britain Museum of American Art

The first institution dedicated solely to acquiring American art. Spanning four centuries of American history, the New Britain Museum of American Art’s collection is renowned for its strengths in colonial portraiture, the Hudson River School, American Impressionism, and the Ash Can School. 

The museum contains more than 8,400 paintings, works on paper, sculptures, videos and photographs. Notably, its collection includes Thomas Hart Benton’s celebrated five-panel mural “The Arts of Life in America” (1932).

Community offerings include classes in watercolor and illustration, musical performances, gallery talks, meet-the-artist events, and more. 

Mattatuck Museum

This vibrant destination in the heart of downtown Waterbury’s architectural district hosts numerous changing exhibitions each year as well as a permanent collection, featuring 300 years of work by American giants including John Trumbull, Erastus Salisbury Field, Frederic Church, John Frederick Kensett, Kay Sage, Arshile Gorky, Yves Tanguy, Peter Poskas, Abe Ajay and Alexander Calder. 

‘The Matt’ is also home to the Waterbury Button Gallery of 10,000 buttons from all over the world. These miniature works of art  have been made in a variety of materials, including glass, porcelain, pearl, metal, bone, paste, wood and jade. The museum hosts a robust calendar of events, including tai-chi, lunch and learn series, homeschool and family activities, open crafting and organized excursions.

Lyman Allyn Art Museum

Located just off I-95, Exit 83, the Lyman Allyn Art Museum has enjoyed celebrating the arts with visitors for almost a century. Featuring particularly strong collections of American paintings and decorative arts, the museum also presents a wide range of changing exhibitions and programs throughout the year. 

The historic grounds include a sculpture trail which is surrounded by 12 rolling acres of gardens and lawns. The grounds are open to the public for walking and picnicking. The museum’s free first Saturdays are popular with families, and include hands-on arts and science activities. On the first Thursday of every month, adult visitors can enjoy an upscale creative session, with drinks and light bites. 

Greenwich Historical Society / Bush-Holley House Museum 

The circa 1730 National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House survived the American Revolution and became the site of CT’s first American Impressionist art colony from 1890 to 1920, where influential artists including Childe Hassam and John Henry Twachtman lived and worked. 

This exciting reimagined campus includes beautiful museum galleries, library and archives, museum store, and landscape and gardens restored to the period of the Cos Cob Art Colony. Greenwich Historical Society preserves and interprets the history of this vibrant, globally influential community through exhibitions and engaging lectures, programs, and events.  

Florence Griswold Museum

The recipient of a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, the Florence Griswold Museum has been called “Giverny in Connecticut” by the Wall Street Journal, and a “must-see” by the Boston Globe. 

In addition to the historic Florence Griswold House, the Museum features a gallery for changing art exhibitions, education and landscape centers, an artist’s studio, twelve acres along the Lieutenant River featuring the Robert F. Schumann Artists’ Trail, and historic gardens. Special offerings include a seasonal cafe with scenic outdoor seating, curated gift shop, art camps for kids, Art Bar for adults, holiday programs and festivals.