This museum had the worst staff ever. I visited DMA yesterday morning and it was disappointing. I went with my boyfriend, we are very young looking despite being in our early 20s. I’m not sure if it was because of the way we looked but one of the staff kept eyeballing us. I’m an artist so I like to look up close to see the brushstrokes that the Artist made and read the story behind it. One of the paintings had an interesting fact and I pointed at the text and immediately got scolded telling me to back away from the painting and not to get too close again. I found this odd since I’m a big fan of kimbell art museum and they never scolded me for going up close and pointing at things in the painting. This would have been fine however the staff who told us to back away began to follow us around the whole bottom section. It made me extremely uncomfortable and ruined my enjoyment. He then began talking to another worker in a wheelchair having a full blown conversation. Not even 10 minutes later the worker in the wheelchair gets into an argument with another coworker. The coworker was very rude to the wheelchair man, I felt really bad. It was 100 degrees outside and me and my bf decided to walk around the city so naturally we are getting very thirsty from walking around. We go to this outside area to take a sip of water. Two incredible beautiful sculptures out there. We took like 2 sips before some guy tells us we can only drink water in the first floor. I found this odd because it’s super hot outside at least let people drink water when they aren’t near any paintings which brings me near the end of our day. Me and my boyfriend are about to leave because hearing the staff yell at others pissed me off. I didn’t get to explore the 3rd level and half of the second one which is a shame cause the art they have is very nice. My boyfriend wanted to fill up the water bottle at the restrooms water fountain and piss real quick. He pulls out the water bottle as soon as we are away from literally all the paintings the exit door is literally right next to us and heads to the bathroom area. The staff lady quickly gets up and walks near the bathroom door WAITING for my boyfriend to get out. I was sitting right next to the exit bench waiting for him. As soon as my bf comes out with the water bottle she starts yelling at us we need to get out and that we aren’t allowed to have water in here. I found this odd because the other man said we can have water at the first floor. My boyfriend tried to explain to her we are about to leave and to just let me sit near the exit bench until he is done with the bathroom and she speaks over him saying we need to leave. She made a scene and everyone was looking at us. I had to go outside and stand waiting for my boyfriend to get out of the restroom and she was looking at me the whole time. This ruined my experience completely. I’m not sure if they are trained like this or what but you guys need to realize this is not enjoyable. People are getting yelled at for even taking pictures of themselves with the paintings and not letting people have baby bottles. The staff seem very pretentious and will judge you depending on how you dress/look and if you are worthy of being here. Only the young people were getting yelled at while the older looking people were getting very close. Don’t go here if you have a younger kid or if your a group of teens/young adults until they fix their...
Read moreThe Dallas Museum of Art is an absolute gem! Every city I travel to (and I visit dozens each year), I make a point to explore one of their museums. This one is hands down one of the most impressive, especially when you factor in that admission is free. I spent over two hours here and could have easily spent more time if I didn’t have plans for the rest of the day.
The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, always ready to provide information or directions with a smile. Despite the museum being fairly busy, the layout is so well thought out that the exhibits never felt crowded. Each piece has ample space, allowing you to fully appreciate the art without feeling rushed or cramped.
The variety of exhibits is truly astounding. From classic European paintings to contemporary installations, there's something for everyone. I was particularly struck by the exhibits showcasing underrepresented cultures, especially those from African nations and Pacific Islanders. It's refreshing and educational to see these cultures represented with such care and attention.
One of the highlights for me was the interactive and multimedia exhibits that engage all your senses. These are perfect for both adults and children, making the museum a great destination for families as well.
The museum's architecture is another marvel. The building itself is a work of art, with spacious galleries, high ceilings, and plenty of natural light that enhances the viewing experience. The outdoor sculpture garden is a peaceful oasis where you can take a break and enjoy some fresh air amidst beautiful artworks.
The temporary exhibitions are always a treat, featuring both renowned artists and up-and-coming talents. During my visit, I was fortunate enough to catch a special exhibit on modern Mexican art that was both vibrant and thought-provoking.
If you’re planning a trip to Dallas, make sure the Dallas Museum of Art is on your itinerary. It’s a cultural treasure that offers a world-class experience without the price tag. You won't regret spending a few hours immersed in such a rich and diverse collection of art. Whether you're an art aficionado or just looking for a delightful way to spend an afternoon, this museum has something for everyone. Don’t forget to check out the museum shop on your way out – it has some unique souvenirs and art books that make...
Read moreMy sister and I were visiting from out of town and the experience at this establishment was less than desirable. Didn't give it a 1 star bc I love art and the exhibits were very nice. Plus it was free even if the parking is $20.00
First off when you enter, they take your zip code and thats it. They don't explain which exhibits are free, which ones are not. They don't explain the “rules” they just say, “Oh its free go on in.”
First exhibit we walked into one of the ladies working at the front came up to us and warned us not to get to close or alarms would go off. “Don't even point at the pieces”. She said this in a very condescending tone. I understand they deal with rule breakers and have to be stern, but kindness goes a long way. So we walked around and noticed that she only told us. Everyone else was pointing and getting super close. Just thought that was odd.
We made our way up to the second floor and the same thing. A cranky old man (at the African art exhibit) was super rude to me. I had a cross body bag at the front and opened it revealing a water bottle in there. Mind you, it was sealed and I was just looking for my phone. He immediately scolded me, “SIR YOU CANT HAVE DRINKS IN HERE!” To which I replied, “Oh. Its sealed Im not going to take it out”. Then he goes, “DONT TAKE IT OUT AGAIN!” And left rolling his eyes. It was super embarrassing tbh bc he did it in front of a lot of people. He scolded me like I was a child.
Then ANOTHER cranky old man as i was adjusting my bag (it had fallen to my side, NOT MY BACK) came and said, “YOU CANT HAVE BAGS ON YOUR BACK JUST AT THE FRONT.”
After this I was like my gosh are they just following us. What is their deal? I get they have to enforce rules but my goodness do it with kindness and be gentle. This ruined our experience even though i did enjoy the exhibits. I felt like i was on a field trip being scolded by my teachers. My sister said she would never return. I have I feeling I...
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