FAQs
Q. What is the museum's mission?
A. One of three state museums, the MMAC holds Montana’s oldest, largest, and deepest collection of art. We are a comprehensive teaching museum that acquires and preserves the historic arts of African, Asia, Europe, and North America, with particular strengths in American, Western regional, and contemporary Native American art. As a university and state museum, the MMAC presents exhibitions and educational programs that explore great art and compelling ideas. As of Fall 2023, the MMAC also offers a 12-credit Museum Studies certificate program to University of Montana students.
Q. How much does it cost to visit?
A. The MMAC is free, but we encourage a $5.00 donation to help support the museum and our mission.
Q. How do I get to the museum?
A. The MMAC is located on the north-west corner of the University of Montana campus, next to the Adam's Center.
Directions to the museum:
West Bound I-90:
1) Take Missoula's first exit onto Van Buren Street, turn left at the stop sign and merge into the right lane.
2) At the stoplight, turn right onto Broadway Street.
3) Move into the furthest left lane, and turn left onto Madison at the first stoplight.
4) Driving over the bridge, stay in the left lane, and veer left at the fork in the road. After the fork, keep to the left and turn left onto 6th Street at the stoplight. After making a left on 6th Street, get into the right lane. You will be heading due east and directly in front of you will be the Adams Center. The museum will be ahead and to your left.
East Bound I-90:
1) Take Missoula's last exit onto Van Buren Street, Exit 105, turn right at the stop sign and merge into the right lane.
2) At the stoplight, turn right onto Broadway Street.
3) Move into the furthest left lane, and turn left onto Madison at the first stoplight.
4) Driving over the bridge, stay in the left lane, and veer left at the fork in the road. After the fork, keep to the left and turn left onto 6th Street at the stoplight. After making a left on 6th Street, get into the right lane. You will be heading due east and directly in front of you will be the Adams Center. The museum will be ahead and to your left.
Q. How do I park at the museum?
A. Please note that, at this time, we do not have parking spaces reserved for museum visitors, but there are several parking options open to visitors on UM's campus. You may find more information about parking on campus on our Visit Page, or on the University's Parking webpage.
Q. Is the museum accessible to people with disabilities?
A. The Our new building is fully ADA-compliant. Our front entrance on the south side of the building is wheelchair-accessible, and our building is equipped with an elevator. Accessible bathroom facilities are located inside the building lobby. For more information, please visit UM’s accessibility webpage.
Q. Does the museum hold tours?
A. We hold daily, free-of-charge tours led by our team of community docents. These are held Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM. We also offer special topics tours on Friday afternoons, from 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM. If you would like to schedule a personalized or private tour, please contact our Operations Manager Peggy Nesbitt at peggy.nesbitt@mso.umt.edu. You may also find more information on our tours on our Tours Page.
Q. Can I volunteer or intern at the museum?
A) Volunteering or interning at the MMAC offers university students and community members an excellent opportunity to get involved and learn about art, museum operations, and much more. For-credit internships are offered through the School of Visual and Media Arts on a semester basis. Interns work on a range of curatorial, research, and/or educational projects.
Volunteers can help with various activities during museum events such as openings and lectures and providing clerical and receptionist duties during office hours and assistance with cataloging and the installation and de-installation of exhibitions. We also invite volunteers to help us with our ongoing move into the MMAC's new building on campus. Contact Dagny Walton at dagny.walton@mso.umt.edu for more details.
Q. Can I talk to you about donating art?
A. Potential donors are welcome to submit photos and basic information about their potential donation by contacting us at (406) 243-2019 or museum@mso.umt.edu. Please provide details such as the name of artist, date of the work, medium, dimensions, and known provenance. The MMAC does not perform art appraisals, but we can provide referrals to appraisal services available in the area.
Q. Does the Museum have a gift shop?
A. We do not have an official gift shop at this time, but will re-open our web-based shop soon.