Blanton Museum of Art — Attraction in Austin

As an Austin native, I have frequented the Blanton for many years. I have lots of memories of the Blanton as a child and some unfavorable ones were remembered today. On Museum Day we decided to venture out into the world with our three children under 8 years old.

The updated landscape, outside sitting area, and statues are nice and I appreciate the shade, and the stroller friendly walkways. It’s convenient that the admissions is separate from the gallery which makes the flow of pedestrians much better. These are the only positive things about this museum.

We knew that all museums would be crowded today. We knew that museum staff would be overwhelmed. We understood the need to quickly and calmly enjoy our experience and get out. Again- doing this with three kids. Funny enough, the crowds, the kids, and the energy weren’t the problem today.

The Blanton can be very hit or miss. Their collection is mediocre and their museum staff is notorious for hovering and being very unwelcoming. It has been years since we have been back and we were hesitant on returning. But we wanted to see the new Capital Mall and the new entry to the Blanton.

The mall was pretty impressive and a very much needed addition to this part of the city. The entry into the Blanton complemented this new element highlighting our Texas Capitol. But once we entered the building we were immediately met with several museum staff barking orders at us to put our water bottles and backpacks into the lockers. As off-putting as that welcome was, we understood. To be clear, we understand museum protocol and the need to keep the environment ideal for art preservation.

We walked through the temporary exhibit space quickly because it was definitely not curated for anyone under the age of 10. It was also very bland for what we could see. Limited color, very minimalist, nothing to compliment or draw visitors into the exhibit. After seeing many museums with temporary exhibits, and ones with budgets likely less than the Blanton, we expected a grand and exciting exhibit. Alas, this isn’t Blanton’s M.O. So, we made our way to the second floor to show our kids the permanent collection that is on display.

Before we even could enter the first gallery, museum staff immediately stopped us for having some trash in our lower carriage: an empty Starbucks cup and some wrappers.

Instead of having some empathy for two exhausted parents trying to show their kids some history and culture on Austin museum day, the staff/docent/security guard/(undergrad intern?) Barked rehearsed orders at us to go downstairs and throw everything away and that we wouldn’t be allowed into the galleries until we did. Why couldn’t she have been courteous with her request? It was clear that she enjoyed her narrative and her “duty”. When met with our opposition and statements like “the cup is empty” she proceed to say in an even louder voice that “she was just trying to tell us the rules so we could get into the gallery”. Almost like she wanted to shame us!

We walked away from the mall cop and headed to the elevators while she repeated her memorized script in somehow and even louder tone. Her badgering ended with “HAVE A NICE DAY!”. Seriously?

The Blanton Museum isn’t family friendly and honestly never has been. The staff that monitors the galleries continue to be burdensome and intimidate the visitors. We didn’t feel welcomed at all. I’m reminded by my time as a kid staring at the grand staircase and enamored by the art. All the while a staff member hovered over me aiming invoke the small amount of power they had to keep me from standing in front of a sculpture too long.

It’s really too bad. They are supposedly on the same level as the DMA or MFAH, but the Blanton doesn’t hold a candle to them. We really need more art museums in this city, maybe some competition is what The Blanton needs to improve and to become the Art museum people travel from all over the world to visit and possibly, make the locals...

Last Friday, a few friends and I had some free time and we decided to visit the Blanton Museum of Art on the University of Texas at Austin campus.

I am a lucky UT grad who also lives in Austin, but I usually would only be on campus for game day. However, I do love art, and I wanted to experience one of Austin's premier art museums.

Unfortunately, my initial impression was not positive. The Blanton Museum of Art is undergoing a massive update to its outdoor grounds. I am excited for what the future will bring, but for now, access to the Blanton is confusing and is basically a construction site.

The entrance to the museum is now on Brazos St. between Martin Luther King and Jester Circle.

Entrance for adults is $12, $10 for seniors and $5 for Youth and College ID holders. Parking in the Brazos Garage right across the street is only $4 with museum admission; however, you need to bring your parking ticket with you as you enter the museum.

When we were there, they had a one-day-only popup exhibition, which they mentioned they do about once a month.

On the first floor, there is an exhibit by Luis Jimenez, whose artwork is also on permanent display at the Denver International Airport.

The second floors contains copious amounts of European and American art throughout the ages, and is well organized.

I think you can probably see everything in this museum in about two hours, and that is if you take a nice leisurely stroll through.

The museum didn't seem busy but had a regular trickle of guests over the course of the afternoon until they closed at 5pm.

If you are looking for art in Austin, the Blanton Museum of Art should definitely be on your list, especially if you are on UT campus. If you are, then you should also check out the Harry Ransom Center and LBJ Presidential Library, which are also on campus and within walking distance. Across the street from the Blanton lies the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, so you really have four museums all within a close distance...

We Übered there so we didn't have to deal with parking. I always try to visit at least one museum when I visit a new city. I talked my friends into going on Tuesday during free admission. Thankfully, we did not pay because my friend who is an art major said that she would have asked for a refund.

I don't understand art, but I like to look at it. All of the pieces seem like they were the last of every collection that other museums didn't want. The Latin American collection had a lot of pieces that were not created by Latin Americans but visitors to Latin American countries. I made an assumption, I misunderstood, and I got disappointed. My fault.

The art was really underwhelming. Like someone else had remarked, there were blank canvases. Sure, it's probably because I don't understand it. I accept that. But, I can usually find multiple points of interest in other art museums.

Another point worth noting is the staff. They are incredibly overbearing. I didn't have a purse/bag, didn't get close to the art, didn't even use flash on my phone to take pictures. But, they hover over everyone at such uncomfortable proximity that it's nearly impossible to enjoy the art at all. And, there's so many of them I grew up around DC. The museums there are free and there's no one breathing down your neck while you're walking around. There is maybe one person in each salon available to answer questions. I don't understand art, but I can still admire the pieces and try to learn something new. Constantly having people you don't know very obviously follow you around really takes the fun out...