Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
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Location
200 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond
Admission
General admission is free
Hours
Open daily; hours vary by day
Good to know
Check current hours, gallery closures and special-exhibition details before visiting
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) brings art from many cultures and periods together in a large museum in Richmond. Its collection includes more than 50,000 works spanning 6,000 years, with notable holdings in Fabergé and Russian decorative arts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco, American art, African art, Asian art, and European painting. General admission is free, though special exhibitions and some programs may have separate arrangements.[1]
The museum is at 200 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard. Its published schedule lists daily opening, with later evening hours Wednesday through Friday; check the official visit information before setting out, since hours and what is on view can change. VMFA’s galleries are only part of the experience: the campus also includes a sculpture garden, places to eat, and a museum shop.[2][3]
Plan a trip to Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Why visit VMFA?
VMFA is a rewarding stop for visitors who want more than a single-collection museum. Its encyclopedic holdings make it possible to move between art traditions, materials, and eras in one visit, while free general admission makes it easy to drop in for a shorter visit or return to see more. The museum also presents changing exhibitions and public programs, so the experience can differ from one visit to the next.[4]
Start here
Begin with the galleries that match your interests rather than trying to cover the entire museum at once. Fabergé and Russian decorative arts are among VMFA’s signature collections; the museum’s holdings also include American, African, Asian, European, modern and contemporary art. Look for a current gallery map and exhibition listings on VMFA’s official site, and check for temporary closures or installation changes before choosing a route. The museum notes that some collection galleries may be off view during projects or rotations.[5]
If you have limited time, choose one collection area and one special exhibition, then leave time to pause in the building or gardens. For a longer visit, take a break for a meal or tea on campus and return to the galleries afterward. Restaurant hours and offerings vary; confirm them directly before planning around a meal.[6]
What to see and do
Fabergé and Russian decorative arts
See works associated with the Fabergé firm alongside Russian decorative arts. VMFA’s collection includes imperial Easter eggs; check the current gallery information for what is on view.
American art
Explore works in a collection that forms one of VMFA’s major areas of strength. The museum’s holdings span multiple periods and media.
African art
VMFA’s collection encompasses objects from many cultures across the continent. Gallery availability can change, so check for closures and current displays before your visit.
Asian and South Asian art
Make time for works from Asian traditions, including VMFA’s South Asian holdings. Check the current map and gallery listings to plan your route.
Modern and contemporary art
See art from the modern period through contemporary practice among the museum’s broad permanent collection.
Robins Sculpture Garden
Step outside to the museum’s sculpture garden. Floris, in the Pauley Center across from the main building, offers views of the garden; check its current hours before visiting.
History and significance
VMFA opened in 1936 and has grown into a state art museum with an encyclopedic collection. Its history has been shaped by donations, acquisitions, exhibitions, and ongoing public programs. The museum describes its holdings as more than 50,000 works spanning 6,000 years of world history.[7][8]
The Fabergé collection is one of the museum’s best-known strengths. A substantial group of Fabergé and Russian decorative arts came to VMFA through the bequest of Lillian Thomas Pratt in 1947. The collection includes five imperial Easter eggs, according to the museum’s collection information.[9]
Planning a visit
- Admission: General admission is free. Special exhibitions, events, and programs may have separate ticketing or fees; check the official listings.
- Hours: VMFA publishes daily hours, with later closing Wednesday through Friday. Confirm the current schedule, holiday hours, and any service changes before leaving.
- Getting there: The museum is at 200 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond. Use the museum’s official directions and parking information for current options and fees.
- Accessibility: VMFA provides visitor resources, including an accessibility guide. Check the museum’s current access information for services and route details that fit your needs.
- Food and drink: Dining venues and hours can vary. Floris at VMFA is in the Pauley Center across from the main building; reservations are encouraged for tea service.
- Gallery availability: Permanent-collection displays can rotate, and galleries may close temporarily. Verify what is on view if a particular collection is a priority.
Nearby attractions
VMFA is in Richmond, where visitors can pair an art-museum visit with gardens, local history, and other museums. Check opening details for each destination independently.
Maymont
A Richmond estate with gardens and visitor attractions.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
A botanical garden in Richmond with cultivated landscapes and seasonal displays.
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
A museum interpreting Black history and culture in Virginia.
Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Explore Virginia history through exhibitions and collections.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ About Us, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, VMFA Reservations, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Floris at VMFA, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ About Us, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ African Art, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Floris at VMFA, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Security Services Supervisor (Classified, Non-exempt), Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ About Us, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ New Website Tells the Story of VMFA’s World-Famous Fabergé Collection, VMFA Connect, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, VMFA Reservations, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Floris at VMFA, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Accessibility Guide, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved October 22, 2026.