American Visionary Art Museum

Address:	800 Key Hwy, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA
Phone:	+1 410-244-1900
Site:	avam.org
Rating:	4.6
Working:	Closed 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM

Location

+−

Leaflet

Photos 100

Reviews 17

Matt R

An impressively large but still quirky establishment in Baltimore. Its a must-see if you like folk art, but even if you dont really like it that much, its still worth a visit at least once. If you HATE folk art, this is not the place for you. If you go, dont miss the annex outside the main museum. It has a really cool collection of mechanical automatons and a gigantic, rotating Divine. The upstairs of the museum has a cafe which looked nice but I didnt go in. The gift shop is one of the more entertaining gift shops Ive ever been in. It has an X-rated section, so keep an eye on your kids.

Faith Ebersole

Used a groupon, but even without it is not badly priced. The most interesting art museum I have been to. Since the art is made by :everyday people" You can feel more of a connection with many of the pieces. Very colorful. What ever you do, do not miss he gift shop, It had really cool stuff in it. Also dont miss the outdoor sculptures, the barn, and the other building with the interactive displays and whirly-gigs. I think many people didnt realize those places are part of the museum too. This was our first time going, We plan to go back again to check out the annual rotating exhibits.

Laura Willis

This is an amazing museum of "outsider/folk/isolate" art. Its an incredible array of works on display: from tiny embroidered scenes from a man that taught himself to embroider while he was in prison using thread from socks; to a huge Victorian era steamship made entirely of toothpicks. Be sure to check out the mechanized art in the annex 2 doors down. We also ate at the cafe upstairs which was fairly pricey for what it was... and they didnt even have Almond or other alternative milk for my coffee. Gift shop is a must- I spent some cash there and love everything I got.

Shannon Whitaker

This review is for the upstairs restaurant, not the museum. Amazing! Food. So good you _must_ try the grilled cheese sandwich. It will change your life. Excellent cocktail selection. Myriad local beers on tap. My favorite place to bring out-of-towners to eat. Beware: the (utterly amazing) grilled cheese sandwich is only available for adults on the lunch menu. If you come for dinner, you must bring a child. Or perhaps they will allow adults to order off the childrens menu? Whatever it takes, seriously. Get the grilled cheese.

Yoav Palatnik

Curated to exhibit contemporary art as a celebration of the human spirit and soul. Restored my faith in the power of contemporary art to transform the way we see the world. This museum is: – The anti D.I.A. – The anti MOMA – The anti Sothebys – The anti Charles Saatchi – The anti 1%–art–scene dominated by Hedge Fund operators and Russian criminal billionaires (although seeing Damien Hirst separating them from their money is kinda fun). Makes Baltimore proud.

Doug Wendt

Truly an adventurous journey into an unexpected universe. Some of the works are astounding, others perhaps kitschy, but all are interesting and immerse the senses. An art museum for people who would like to rediscover the truly extraordinary boundaries of artistic expression. Also notable are the detailed and well-written backgrounders on each artists life, including struggles and triumphs in the human journey of self-discovery. A must-see.

Deymos Faraud Abdala Campos

Amantes del arte, de la cultura y el Folklore este es el mejor lugar, te sorprenderán con sus exposiciones. Lovers of art, culture and folklore this is the best place, will surprise with its exhibitions.

Diane Schank

I love this museum and return to it again and again --- almost always with a grandchild 10 or younger. If ever there was a place to feast your eyes on the fantastic and wonderful, this is it. Beautiful, expressive art, much of it unfiltered by any intellectual "meaning," allowing the artist to express him or herself directly through the materials at hand. And what amazing material they are! Definitely worth a detour. Not to be missed.

Robert Andrews

My family and I went here yesterday, and it is one of the most fun and offbeat places weve been. What a great museum! It is whimsical, inspiring, and chock full with gorgeous stuff to look at that also expands your mind. The gift shop is filled with crazy stuff that made me feel like I was in an alternative universe. It seems like they have a lot of new exhibitions with some frequency, so we absolutely plan to come back.

A Private User

Im @ my client, Maurice Franklin and his new bride Amelia Walkers wedding reception. All I can say is wow, the wedding party is beautiful and the service of the staff is absolutely amazing! Drinks served with a smile! We are having wild greens w/ mango & pineapple salad, red beans and rice, served with a rum jerk chicken. For dessert yucca cake. Am I on an island or what? What an amazing venue to have a wedding!

Nicholas Miller

Its very unique, almost to the point of being uncomfortable. Some people really love it, I did not truly enjoy it as others seemed to. The best part was the moving wood pieces in the third building. Staff was friendly and quirky. I wouldnt pay more than $10, luckily Im a student so I get the discount. There is street parking at the meter, but is easily accessible by foot or bus from the harbor.

Ashlee Harris

This was a cool experience for my kids. This museum is different. Ive never seen art quite like this in a museum before. A lot of modern art and most of it local. Of course my kids favorite part was the Kings mouth and the fart exhibit! Quite expensive for an afternoon outing with 4 children but both buildings were worth the price. We also loved the motorized figures in building 2!

Alec Loudenback

A very eclectic museum. One of the things that I found the most interesting was that with each exhibit they have a panel describing the artist to give you a context for the work. Its relatively small, but has good details an information to read. You could zoom through here and see everything in an hour, but plan 2-4 if you intend to pause and digest the works.

Drew Alfgren

The art is eclectic, very original, often hilarious and/or disturbing. The new Big Hope show, just opened last eve, is a great example of what the AVAM does best, lots of artists- local and otherwise- from many different backgrounds. If youre local, a membership is so worth it. Plus it has the best outrageous gift stuff in the museum store youll ever see.

A Private User

This is probably the most innovative museum that I have ever been to. The art there certainly isnt traditional. Most of the art is by people who have mental problems but I think that the art is extraordinary. If you like modern art this is the place for you. If you are into traditional art then you should definitely skip it and head to th Walters or BMA.

Belcara Health

Having such an amazing and cutting edge museum so close to us is a great part of working in Greater Baltimore! The museum caters to visionary art (hence the name). There is so much to look at so plan to spend a few hours on the sprawling Wonderland campus. Try to go a nice day because there are lot of exhibits outside too.

Alex Barron

Truly a one-of-a-kind museum, full of offbeat pieces and installations, mostly created by artists with mental disorders. Almost every piece is worth studying carefully. My favorite is the ogre (I guess?) made out of colored telephone wire. The in-museum bar is also quite good. The only downside is the high price of admission.