San Antonio Museum of Art

200 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215, USA

Address:	200 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215, USA
Phone:	+1 210-978-8100
Site:	samuseum.org
Rating:	4.6
Working:	Closed 10AM–9PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

adityan2

We visited the SAMA about a year ago. It was our first visit to San Antonio (and other parts of Texas, as well.) Somewhere in my reading on San Antonio, a SAMA staff member has stated that its collection of ancient art is one of the best in the South. This is not a truthful statement in that it greatly underestimates the incredible depth, breadth and richness of the ancient art collection at the SAMA. The truly great, comprehensive collections of ancient art in the western tradition in North America are the Metropolitan Museum, the Boston Museum, the Walters Art Museum (Baltimore), the Getty Museum (Los Angeles) and the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto), not necessarily in that order. (Many other great North American collections of ancient art exist, as well, for example, Cleveland, Toledo, Providence, St. Louis, and the University of Pennsylvania Museum (Philadelphia). I had never heard any mention of or reference to the SAMA in my reading on the matter ancient art collections in North America. Nor was there any emphasis on the collection in literature on the SAMA itself. You can imagine my utter surprise and delight when I first walked through the galleries at the SAMA. Simply put, the ancient art collection at the SAMA is not only a great regional one, it is also in a league with the big five in North America and can compare in quality and comprehensiveness with any of them and undoubtedly with many international collections as well. Anyone who appreciates this period of art and has not yet visited the SAMA should put this truly great collection on his must-see bucket list.

Nick-Yvette Smith

Pros-Good collection of private donations like the Roman glasswares, Irish silver, and Spanish religious art. Decent global sampling of 3-dimensional art and enjoyably laid out exhibits that make even the elementary aged visitors fill with exploratory excitement. We also enjoyed the scavenger search offered as a courtesy enrichment activity for the kids. Cons- San Antonio is a large city with 4 historic military bases and there was not one piece of military art displayed!!!! All the European and Asian city art museums Ive been to have their military art inside. Also, there were only a couple regional landscape paintings on display. It would have been great to see "museum quality" paintings of bluebonnets and longhorns under oak trees for perspective. Being in a city with such a vibrant diverse history there were no rodeo, Alamo, German-pioneer and minimal Mexican art on display. We want more!! A city art museum is not only for bringing the visual beauty from far off destinations to the local people, it also should be proudly displaying the fine local art created, curated and acquired by EXPERTS so visitors both foreign and domestic have a dedicated purpose and reason to come specifically to THE San Antonio Museum of Art.

Steven Chen

The SAMA is a great place to spend an afternoon. The museum is housed in the old Lone Star Brewery, a historic building on the National Register of Historic Places constructed in 1895 with a fortress-like design: the current building is a mix of old and new, with its handsome brick facade, arched windows, and battlements complemented by a steel and glass skybridge going across the east and west towers. The many windows inside offer good views of San Antonio and the River Walk. Inside, the museum has a substantial collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art, with some Egyptian pieces dating back over four thousand years. Other floors house Asian, American, and Latin American art in smaller collections. Huge glass elevators with exposed machinery take you between floors, and are really quite cool to just watch. Id highly recommend the museum if youre in the River Walk area and are interested in seeing ancient exhibits and historic architecture!

Kat Cantrell

NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY AT ALL! Sunday 4/24/2016 at 12pm I took my family and friends (three adults, five kids: ages 8,4 and 2) ) to the San Antonio Museum of Art. This was our first visit. The gentlemen at the front were very polite giving us a map. The exhibits were very nice and the kids were enjoying looking at them. We were there for about two hours when they gave us a warning that the kids where being too loud. Then not even five minutes later they kicked us out of the museum because our toddler was getting a little fussy. My kids are so hurt that they never want to go back. In this day and age when we are fighting to get them off the internet and into libraries and museums only to have this happen… I am very disappointed in how the rude guards were. It is very unlikely that we will ever go back and other families should make sure they go on “Family” days because if you don’t you’ll be shown the door.

Ben Saucier

Amazing works in this place, the exhibits are rotated out pretty regulary. The website has only a portion of their displayed pieces. They have a skywalk with a beautiful view of the city. If you are an art lover or just hold a small interest in art, this is a wonderful place to visit. They have night events involving sketch sessions, free nights, and more. Check out their website for more info! Its probably a bit boring for young children, plus they get a bit loud. I would only advise it for older more mature children. Flash photography is explicitly not allowed. The art on display is unique, one of a kind, on loan and expensive, if you have no sense of etiquette youll definitely not be welcomed here. That being said, i took a picture properly and a small girl saw, told her mother to take one of her with the painting, tapped on the painting and they both giggled. Big no no!!

Nalette Rondon

My favorite place in San Antonio for sure! The wide selections of art and the way theyre neatly displayed by type makes for a great, easy visit. The place is always neat and the grounds are beautiful! The staff has always been very kind and educated, Ive never had a problem with them and my service dog, which means a stress free visit! They offer student discounts, and Alamo College students even get in free with their ID, which means I could visit all year for free! I love this place and I recommend it to anyone!

Ross Diaz

This is a terrific collection of art and artifacts from many cultures worldwide. They frequently have special exhibits and seem to be constantly improving and renovating. Great city views from the neon-lit skybridge, and a pleasant outdoor area with restaurant and river path access. Membership is a great value at $65/year for 2 adults. The building is a historic gem, being the original Lone Star brewery, and the glass elevators are fascinating way to move between floors and see the sights.

Mary Boley

They have so many things to see and I love that they offer student discounts. Make sure to give yourself a few hours to see everything. Also, weddings there are amazing. They give you a few different areas to get ready in and the ceremony is under the multicolored glass walkway. They have a few people stay to make sure you dont destroy stuff and they dont allow alcohol, but thats understandable. Overall, every time Ive been there, its been great.

Lance Gandy

Im not usually one to visit a museum but this place was nice and a good spot to hide from the rain when I was in town. Friendly staff except for one girl who gave me attitude because I browsed my way into a "special" exhibit and would have to pay more money to venture any further. She wouldnt tell me what it was or any information other than "if you dont know about it then its probably not for you". What? Ok I wont spend more money then.