- Attraction: Minnesota Museum of American Art (The M)
- Location: 350 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55101
- Industry: Museum
- Website: https://mmaa.org/
Every Minnesota artist you’ve never heard of but should know is waiting to surprise you at The M. The Minnesota Museum of American Art.
It holds more than 5,000 artworks that showcase the unique voice of American artists from the 19th century to the present.
And this isn’t your typical stuffy museum experience.
It’s where regional pride meets world-class artistry, and where you’ll discover that Minnesota has been quietly nurturing incredible talent for over a century.
The museum incorporated in 1927 but has weathered multiple relocations and even a complete closure before finding its permanent home. What emerged from that challenging period is a museum with renewed focus and energy, determined to showcase not just famous American masters but the diverse voices that define the American experience.
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Keep Exploring →American Art Highlights
The Morrison Collection: The M houses the largest institutional collection of works by Ojibwe modernist artist George Morrison, featuring roughly 100 works by the painter.
You’ll find yourself mesmerized by Morrison’s abstract landscapes that capture the essence of Minnesota’s natural beauty through a distinctly Native American lens.
Morrison even has his own dedicated gallery in the new wing, something that major museums like the Met couldn’t replicate due to The M’s extensive Morrison holdings.
Manship Masterpieces: The museum holds the largest institutional collection of works by sculptor Paul Manship, with more than 300 works by the celebrated sculptor in the collection.
You’ll encounter everything from terracotta depictions of zodiac signs to monumental sculptures. Manship, who studied at the Saint Paul School of Art, went on to create sculptures for New York’s Central Park before donating half of his estate to The M after he died in 1996.
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Discover MoreRegional Treasures: The collection includes paintings by Red Lake native Patrick DesJarlait, who created Minnesota commercial icons like the Hamm’s bear and an updated Land-O-Lakes maiden.
You’ll also discover works by Hastings impressionist Clara Mairs and contemporary Minnesota artists like Wing Young Huie, Julie Buffalohead and Warren MacKenzie.
Master Works: The permanent collection features pieces by American masters Thomas Hart Benton, Joan Mitchell, Romare Bearden, Ed Ruscha, and Louise Nevelson.
These aren’t relegated to storage – you’ll encounter them alongside emerging voices in thoughtfully curated exhibitions that create unexpected conversations between different eras and perspectives.
Building & Historic Atmosphere
Architectural Marvel: The Pioneer Endicott—the conjoining of the 1889 Pioneer Building and the 1890 Endicott Building—is the oldest commercial complex still standing in St. Paul.
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Keep Exploring →It once housed offices and a Beaux-Arts Atelier run by Emmanuel Masqueray, architect of the Cathedral of St. Paul and the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, and the offices of Cass Gilbert, architect of the Minnesota State Capitol.
Restored Grandeur: The new wing features the original Cass Gilbert-designed stained-glass tile ceiling, painstakingly restored.
The stained-glass ceiling starts to paint the artwork below in a warm light, creating an almost cathedral-like atmosphere for viewing art. You’ll find yourself looking up as much as you look at the walls.
Intimate Galleries: The gallery space is modest, but it’s used remarkably well and it’s a gorgeous mix of white walls (typical) and antique patterned floor tile (atypical).
The museum’s relatively compact size allows for an intimate viewing experience, making it easy to explore in a few hours. Unlike massive institutions where you feel rushed, here you can actually absorb each piece.
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Discover MoreThematic Organization: The new galleries are organized around themes like “We Connect Through the Cosmos,” “We Connect Through the Land,” and “We Connect Where We Live”, creating natural flow and meaningful connections between artworks from different periods.
Visitor Experience & Practical Details
Free Admission: Admission to the museum is free, with only a humble request for a donation in the box when a visitor is able and interested in giving. This accessibility means you can return multiple times to catch rotating exhibitions without worrying about cost.
Family-Friendly Features: The M has a dedicated learning space, the Josephine Adele Ford Center for Creativity, which includes the Wide Open Studio, a space available for drop-in making activities. Other services include Family Days, studio art classes, at-home activities, and lectures and conversations with artists.
Parking Considerations: Some visitors note that parking can be challenging in the downtown area, so plan to arrive with extra time to find street parking or use nearby parking ramps. The museum’s downtown location puts you within walking distance of other St. Paul attractions.
Visit Timing: The museum is open Thursdays–Sundays, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Check the website for updated hours and events so as not to arrive on an off day. Visitors remark that they are thankful for the MMAA, and are very interested in its growth in the coming years.
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Keep Exploring →Minnesota Museum of American Art
📍 350 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55101
