Ackland Art Museum, on the University of North Carolina campus, at 101 South Columbia Street, is always free to visit.
The Ackland’s permanent collection features more than 19,000 works of art, including Asian art, North Carolina pottery, collections of European masterworks, and more.
Visiting Ackland Art Museum
Hours
Ackland Art Museum is free to visit. Hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
In addition, they’re open the 2nd Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Ackland Art Museum is closed on dates around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Find the holiday closure dates here.
Parking
There are several nearby parking decks, and over 400 metered spaces within a short walk of the Ackland Art Museum. Use Park on the Hill to learn about all the parking options.
Weeknight parking in the Ackland Porthole Alley lot requires a $1 permit. Evening parking Friday to Sunday does not require a permit. Learn about UNC’s parking permits.
Cost
The Ackland is free to visit, but some of the events have a ticket price. Often these events are free for members.
Accessibility
Some things to know about accessibility:
- The front entrance is ramped, but there is not an automatic opener.
- There are two accessible parking spots in the Porthole Alley lot. When you arrive pull up to the gate and ring the security desk from the call box.
- An elevator serves all floors of the Ackland.
- The Ackland has one single-stall, wheelchair-accessible restroom.
- Large-print interpretive materials are available.
Learn about The Ackland’s accessibility.
Current and Upcoming Exhibits at Ackland Art Museum
More than half of the gallery space contains special and traveling exhibitions. Here’s what is on view now:
Reform to Restoration: French Drawings from Louis XVI to Louis XVIII (1770-1830)
July 21, 2023 – October 8, 2023
pARC by The Urban Conga
June 18th, 2022 to July 7th, 2024
Permanent Collection Galleries
Permanent
Learn more about each of these exhibits, as well as the permanent collection galleries.
Upcoming Events with Ackland Art Museum
Here are some of the upcoming events at the Ackland. Most events require registration.
2nd Friday Artwalk: Georgie Nakima Installation Reception
Friday, August 11, 2023
6 to 9 p.m.
Free
Georgie Nakima is a North Carolina-based multi-disciplinary artist with a focus on public art and the relationship between 2D and 3D space. Georgie’s formal background in life sciences and research inspires her to bridge the network of ecosystems into her work both literally and figuratively, reminding us of the intersectionality of our shared world. This work is rooted in Afrofuturism as an offering to affirm the intergenerational connection and testimony of the Black Diaspora.
During tonight’s 2nd Friday ArtWalk, we will be celebrating with colorful summer drinks, and an assortment of playful popcorn flavors from The Mad Popper. Nakima will be onsite at 7 p.m. to meet and greet.
Drawing in the Galleries
Saturday, August 12, 2023
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Free
Amanda Hughes leads participants in a creative exploration of a particular object in the Ackland’s collection. Participants all draw from one object using their own gallery-safe materials (paper/notebooks and dry media like crayons and pencils), then discuss what they’ve noticed through the process of drawing. All levels are welcome.
Find all upcoming events and registration links here.
Becoming a Member of Ackland Art Museum
Becoming a member of the Ackland is a way to support the museum, and it also affords you some benefits.
Current UNC at Chapel Hill students get free membership.
A basic membership is $60 for individuals and $100 for households, and provides these benefits:
- 10% discount in the Museum Store
- Subscription to member e-newsletter
- Notices and announcements of Museum events, programs and activities
- Enrollment in the University and College Art Museum Reciprocal Program
- Free or reduced amission to public programs
- Invitations to member-only exhibition previews, events and local travel committee trips
- Member pricing for special events
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
