Leave your traditional perceptions of museums behind and visit the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM), a must-see Baltimore landmark dedicated to fresh thought, humor, and creative intuition. Featuring the work of self-taught artists—including farmers, mathematicians, prison inmates, and people with mental illness—AVAM challenges the notions of what it means to be an artist. If you like walking to the beat of your own drum, you’ll love this inclusive space for “outsider” art.
Admissions And More Information
Located at the base of historic Federal Hill, AVAM is adjacent to downtown Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Be sure to check out the museum’s store, Sideshow, for all kinds of eccentric novelties and gifts, and Cielo Verde, the museum’s new café located on the top floor.
Metered street parking is available and there’s also a public parking lot on Key Highway.
Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Adults $15.95
Seniors $13.95
Students/Youth $9.95
Kids 6 and under Free
Members Free
What It's Like
A creative urban wonderland, the museum itself is an architectural oddity, featuring curved hallways, stairwells and rounded gallery walls. The works on display include embroidery, graffiti, diorama, film, sculpture, and multimedia. Pieces of art are created from unusual mediums such as toothpicks, or a picture painted with mustard and ketchup. Each piece at the museum tells a unique story about its creator and encourages you to rethink the definition of fine art.
Don't Miss
Bling is the thing at AVAM, where art reflects life, both literally and figuritively. There’s lots of sparkling mirrored surfaces and art throughout the grounds. Most notable is the museum’s iconic, mirrored mosaic facade, which was created by at-risk Baltimore youth; artist Andrew Logan’s hypnotic, eight-foot mirrored egg; a bedazzled tree sculpture; and Adam Kurtzman’s 11-foot Giant Golden Hand sculpture.
Check AVAM’s website for special monthly events, art workshops, and the museum’s annual Kinetic Sculpture Race, a contest of wacky human-powered sculptures created by Baltimore residents.
Venue
- Air Conditioned
- Designated Smoking Area
- Equipment Rental Additional
- Hosts Crab Feast
- Only Preferred Caterers
- Walk to Water Taxi
- Banquet Hall / Catering Venue
- Entertainment Venue
- Events Venue
- Family Friendly
- Gift Shop
- Group Activities
- Groups Welcome
- Preferred Catering List
- Restaurant Onsite
- In-House AV
- Restrooms
Catering & Event Facilities
- Banquet Facilities
- Caterers
- Crab Feast Friendly
- Number of Event Rooms: 2
- Banquet Capacity: 150
- Reception Capacity: 400
- Exclusive Catering
General
- ADA Compliant
