Mingei International Museum
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Balboa Park Museums in San Diego 🏛️ So Instagram-Worthy!
CorneliaCornelia
320
🏠Balboa Park Museum Pass | 40% Off Discount!
JudJud
50
I've been visiting San Diego museums all week and I have to say that this one was one of my favorites. They have a beautiful collection of hand crafted pieces that are full of fine details. What I appreciated most is how I enjoyed pretty much everything they had on display. A lot of museums I've been to were dull or only had a few cool things to look at. The curators here have great taste and I was fascinated by the variety of art this museum had offer. Downstairs had Japanese signs that are supposed to be a visual representation of the service offered (a tobacco shop sign was a giant pipe). The room next to that had some Indonesian shadow puppets on display and the amount of detail on each piece was mind-blowing. Upstairs had some nice saddles and jewelry pieces. The most stunning piece was this giant wall covered in super detailed tiles made of metal. This museum is enjoyably quiet and full of beautiful art. Definitely worth a visit.
Gouryella HaraydaGouryella Harayda
10
I have been a member of this museum for over 10 years and enjoy visiting weekly and it pains me to write this review about my favorite museum in San Diego. However, the Mingei has recently cancelled an exhibit of Palestinian art and textiles , effectively censoring their voices during a pivotal moment in time. These voices deserve to be uplifted, not silenced. I was looking forward to such an important cultural event. As an international museum you have no right to censor international art at the bequest of your well endowed monied donors. Your community demands better of you and in fact DESERVES better. Censorship has absolutely no place in art, the same as it has no place in books or education. I no longer feel safe in a museum who censors art and caters to powerful donors. Art is for the people of our community to enjoy and learn from. Shame on you for making sure we can't do that I will be cancelling my membership with Mingei and immediately ceasing all support of Balboa Park and its operations and I will be alerting my San Diego community to the great disservice you have done as you embarrassingly stand on the wrong side of history.
AshleyAshley
30
I think the musuem had a reopening sometime last year or within the last 6 months after a long hiatus and remodel. I remember them closing long before the pandemic. Most of the collection of Asian artifacts were moved to the Art Museum. The musuem now focuses on ethnic wares and whimsical art from the past and near-present. Post-remodel, the Mingei now features a swanky restaurant center stage on the first floor, which is open to guests free of charge. There is also a beautiful reference library full of arts and culture books patrons can peruse as they like. The gift is still there, offering wordly goods for all budgets. The space feels modern and industrial and even the adjacent, more affordable cafe has been upgraded from before. The butterfly flower lemonade has a tangy syrup that's perfect for a hot day.
Betty TrinhBetty Trinh
00
There’s limited gallery space, but overall, it was a lovely experience. There’s a diverse collection of folk art, mostly from Japan, but also some pieces from many other countries like Myanmar, India, Ethiopia, and Mexico. The terraces on the second level were an expected discovery. You get a unique view of the park. The art library is closed Sundays, otherwise, I would have liked to explore that too. I spent about 45 minutes there. The new cafe on the first level is a really great. The menu is pretty large for a small cafe. I didn’t order any beverages, but purchased the lavender shortbread cookie, brownie, and ham & cheese croissant. I can’t wait to enjoy these treats at home.
Jaleisha JacobsJaleisha Jacobs
10
Nearby Attractions Of Mingei International Museum
Balboa Park
San Diego Zoo
Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Botanical Building
Fleet Science Center
San Diego Natural History Museum
Spanish Village Art Center
The San Diego Museum of Art
Museum of Us
Balboa Park
4.8
(25.2K)Click for details
San Diego Zoo
4.7
(21.7K)Click for details
Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum
4.6
(3.9K)Click for details
San Diego Air & Space Museum
4.6
(2.4K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Mingei International Museum
The Prado at Balboa Park
Mister A's
Panama 66
CUCINA urbana
Azuki Sushi Lounge
Barrio Star
Parc Bistro-Brasserie
Albert's Restaurant
The Corner Drafthouse
Pure Project Balboa Park
The Prado at Balboa Park
4.4
(1.5K)Click for details
Mister A's
4.6
(1K)Click for details
Panama 66
4.5
(1K)Click for details
CUCINA urbana
4.6
(929)$$
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Balboa Park, Plaza de Panama, 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Map
Phone
(619) 239-0003
Call
Website
mingei.org
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(287 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
accessibility
family friendly
Description
The Mingei International Museum is a non-profit public institution that collects, conserves and exhibits folk art, craft and design. The museum was founded in 1974, and its building opened in 1978.
attractions: Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum, Botanical Building, Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum, Spanish Village Art Center, The San Diego Museum of Art, Museum of Us, restaurants: The Prado at Balboa Park, Mister A's, Panama 66, CUCINA urbana, Azuki Sushi Lounge, Barrio Star, Parc Bistro-Brasserie, Albert's Restaurant, The Corner Drafthouse, Pure Project Balboa Park
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