Everything to know about
The Asheville Art Museum
2 South Pack Square | Asheville, NC
Located in Downtown
What You’ll Find In This Article
About The Art Museum
The Asheville Art Museum is located in downtown Asheville and features American art of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Like most Asheville establishments, the museum is closed on Tuesdays. Otherwise they are open 11am to 6pm.
Asheville Art Museum Admission
The Art Museum offers a daily rate, an annual membership and is also part of the county’s ZOOM Pass program for locals.
Daily Rate
The daily rate for museum admission is $15. Seniors ages 65 and up have a discounted admission at $13. Children ages 6 to 17 are $10 per day and children under 6 are free. College students are also given a discounted rate at $10 per day– unless you are a student at UNCA and then your admission is free.
Annual Memberhip
If you plan to frequent the museum at least a few times a year, the annual membership is definitely worth it. Rates start at $65 for an individual and $100 for a family. College students, artists, educators and seniors are given discounts. There are also tiered levels and benefits available.
Free Admission
UNC Asheville students, active-duty military and children under 6 are given free admission to the art museum. Local residents with a library card can also gain free entry ever 30 days through the ZOOM Pass program.
Where To Park At The Art Museum
The Asheville Art Museum is located downtown at Pack Square. It’s at the corner of Patton Ave and Biltmore, just next to French Broad Chocolate Lounge. While they don’t have a dedicated parking lot, you’ll find street parking and a few garages nearby.

Street parking is by luck, really, because it’s a popular area. Garages are our recommendation for parking downtown because, unlike street parking, there isn’t a two hour time limit.
The AC Hotel is just across the street and offers a great parking garage. Plus, you get to check out the hotel lobby! It’s also right next to Old Europe, which makes for an excellent stop for coffee and a pastry.
Another garage is located the opposite direction on Biltmore at Aloft. There are also a few private parking lots around, though these are typically more expensive than garages.
The Asheville Trolley tour stops right in front of the museum and makes for a fun way to travel around the city. Trolley passes are good for 2 consecutive days and a top recommendation from us, especially if it’s your first visit to Asheville.
Asheville Art Museum Exhibitions
The Museum is a collecting institution with a notable focus on American and Appalachian art from the 20th and 21st centuries. There are over 7,500 total works in the Asheville Art Museum’s collection, including paintings, drawings, prints, photography, sculptures and glasswork.
Current exhibitions include their Beyond the Lens photorealism series through February 5, 2023. It features paintings and works on paper from the 1970s to present day. Please note that a ZOOM Pass does not allow entry to this exhibition.
There are a few ongoing exhibits, like the Intersections in American Art which highlights the historical and contemporary stores of WNC art and culture. Another is titled Many Become One, and features works brough together by many separate pieces. You’ll find Many Become One in the atrium and museum plaza.
Tours are occasionally offered on Sundays and Thursdays. Registration is not required and they are free for members and included with the daily rate. See the Museum’s event calendar for details.
Children’s Room At The Art Museum
You’ll find the Wells Fargo Art PLAYce on the second floor of the museum. It’s a dedicated children’s area and offers several different exhibits that inspire and delight.
Art PLAYce includes a craft table complete with markers, scissors, glue and paper, as well as a wall for Magnatiles, a foam block area and even a kaleidoscope by the window. There are also several children’s books, blocks and even a wall of colorful pegs where kids can design their own sculpture.
The most delighting part of the children’s area, though, is the interactive sculpture STEAM Cycle. It’s a product of the UNCA Steam Studio. Kids can participate by turning a hand crank that brings metal balls up an elevator. Once they reach the top, the metal balls drop onto a track and race down.
Rooftop Cafe At The Art Museum
Perhaps the museum’s best kept secret is the rooftop cafe on the fourth floor. It’s only available to museum visitors and employees, so it’s far less crowded than other local eateries. But don’t let that deter you– it’s great!
Their menu includes sandwiches made with local City Bakery bread, a daily soup, local snacks and baked goods. You can choose to dine inside, where you’ll find several tables and even a variety of board games, or outside on the rooftop patio.