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.

Yale Center for British Art

The Yale Center for British Art is a public art museum that houses the largest and most comprehensive collection of British art outside the United Kingdom. 

Presented to the university by Paul Mellon (Yale College, Class of 1929)‚ the collection of paintings‚ sculpture, drawings‚ prints‚ rare books‚ and manuscripts reflects the development of British art and culture from the Elizabethan period onward. The museum offers a vibrant program of activities, events, and exhibitions year-round, both in person and online. 

Please note: The YCBA is closed to the public for building conservation. While the museum is closed, more than 60 paintings from the collection will be on view at the Yale University Art Gallery. 

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.

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. 

The Housatonic Museum of Art

Stay Close. Stay Curious: The Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA) holds one of the largest art collections of any community college in the United States with almost 7,000 artworks. The focus of the HMA is modern and contemporary American and European art, including Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Romare Bearden, Cindy Sherman, and Jenny Holzer. The collection also includes artwork from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. 

Unlike most campus museums, the HMA displays selections of its collection throughout Housatonic Community College. Visitors also enjoy the special exhibitions, lectures, films and programs offered in the Burt Chernow Galleries. The galleries are free and open to the public.

Hill-Stead Museum

Hill-Stead Museum is noted for its 1901 33,000-square-foot house filled with art and antiques. Pioneering female architect Theodate Pope Riddle designed the Colonial Revival-style house, set on 150 hilltop acres, to showcase the Impressionist masterpieces amassed by her father, Cleveland iron industrialist Alfred A. Pope. 

Collections in 19 intact rooms include original furnishings, paintings, and numerous art works. The c. 1920 sunken garden is the centerpiece of the grounds; while three miles of walking trails treat visitors to beautiful habitats and a variety of native pollinators, birds, ponds, meadows, forest, and foliage. Special events include gala dinners, a May Market, Sunken Poetry Festival, and multicultural music, dance and theater performances.

Fairfield University Art Museum

One museum, two spaces: In the Bellarmine Hall Galleries, the Fairfield University Art Museum displays its permanent collection alongside rotating special exhibitions. The permanent collection features European and American paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and historic plaster casts as well as artwork from Asia, Africa and South America. Also on view are works of art on long-term loan from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Yale University Art Gallery, the Worcester Art Museum, and the American Numismatic Society. 

In the Walsh Gallery, located in the Quick Center for the Arts, the museum presents larger special exhibitions. Special events include designated family days, mindfulness sessions and unique workshops.  

Bruce Museum

Located in Bruce Park overlooking Greenwich Harbor, the Bruce Museum is a community-based, world-class institution that offers a changing array of exhibitions and educational programs to promote the understanding and appreciation of art and science.

The museum’s recent expansion includes four leading-edge galleries that provide vastly expanded accommodations for changing art exhibitions; and dedicated space to show the museum’s permanent art collection.

The entire ground floor is free and open to the public during museum hours. It includes a new museum store; a restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating; a state-of-the-art auditorium; and meeting spaces for special event use. The grounds also include a sculpture garden and landscaped walking paths. 

Note: The CT Art Trail Passport is not sold or valid during weekends of May and October Outdoor Festivals.