Georgia Museums

Inspiring Lifelong Learning

Art shouldn’t just be viewed but truly seen, studied and shared. At the Georgia Museum of Art, we’re interested in more than preserving masterpieces. We connect people with powerful stories, spark dialogues across generations and inspire new ways of thinking.

The Voice That Sparked Our Mission

Among Georgia museums, few can trace their roots to a story as personal as ours. In the 1940s, retired New York lawyer Alfred Heber Holbrook developed a deep appreciation for painting. In honor of his late wife Eva, he built a collection of more than 100 American artworks, donating them to the University of Georgia in 1945.

Holbrook wasn’t a collector seeking fame or prestige. He was looking to share his personal passion and honor his wife’s memory by creating something meaningful that lived on after them both. More than his collection, he donated his time, energy and dedication to learning, becoming the founding director of the Georgia Museum of Art in 1948. In the basement of the university library, Holbrook gave tours, taught classes and continued to grow the collection piece by piece.

Since then, we’ve expanded the museum, making it home to nearly 20,000 artworks, upholding the space as a place for learning, reflection and public service as Holbrook intended. It all began with a strong belief and firm conviction — that art should be for everyone.

The Reach of a Single Museum

The Georgia Museum of Art stands apart as a jewel among Georgia museums, not only for what it displays but for what it gives. As the state’s official art museum, our impact reaches far beyond our galleries. Through free admission and statewide programming, we connect thousands of people to art every year, no matter their background.

We work closely with schools and educators to make art accessible, providing K-12 lesson plans, museum resources and field trips designed to ignite imagination. At the Georgia Museum of Art, all are welcome — no entry fee required. Here, everyone is invited to speak the universal language of art, forming connections without needing to speak a word. We offer inclusive programming in multiple languages and prioritize accessibility through sensory-friendly gallery experiences, family workshops, internships and beyond.

This is a place to wander slowly and wonder deeply, explore new perspectives and share moments of discovery. This is the Georgia Museum of Art.