How do I get to the Museum by car or bus?
Is parking free or do I have to pay?
Are there bike racks?
When is the Museum open?
How much is admission to the Museum?
Is there a time when admission is reduced?
Can anyone bypass the admissions line?
When is the Museum Shop open?
Can I come to the Museum just to visit the Museum Shop or the Brushmark Restaurant?
If so, do I have to pay the admission fee?
What are the Library hours and do I need an appointment?
Is there a coat check?
Are baby strollers permitted in the Museum?
Is there a restaurant inside of the Museum?
What is the price range of a meal at the Brushmark Restaurant?
How much time does it take to tour the galleries?
Visitors with Disabilities
Is the Museum wheelchair accessible?
Does the Museum offer special programs or tours for visitors with visual or hearing impairments?
Visiting as a Group
How do I arrange a visit for a school group or group of adults?
Why should I pre-register my self-guided group?
Tours and Talks
Can I have a guided tour at anytime?
Do you offer gallery tours in any languages other than English?
Are there tours in Sign Language?
Does the Museum offer audio tours?
Are audio tours offered in languages other than English?
What programs does the Museum offer for children
About the Museum
Is the Museum a private or public institution?
What does the term “permanent collection” mean?
How large is the Museum and its collection? What is in the Museum’s permanent collection?
Why are some objects not on exhibition?
What does the term “special exhibition” mean?
What are the current special exhibitions at the Museum?
How do I find out how much an object in the Brooks Museum collections is worth?
Can you tell me the value of an artwork that I own?
How can I have my historic or artistic work restored?
Painting, Sketching, and Photography in the Museum
Are visitors permitted to sketch in the Museum?
Are visitors allowed to paint in the Museum?
Is photography or videography permitted in the Museum?
Membership, Donations and Volunteering
How do I become a Member?
What are the benefits of becoming a Member?
How do I make a donation to the Museum?
I am a current Member and/or donor. How can I change my name and/or address and continue to receive mail from the Museum?
May I designate a secondary Membership card holder?
Can I give a Membership as a gift?
How do I receive my Brooks Museum Members discount?
Can I make a contribution in honor or in memory of someone?
How can I donate a work of art to the Museum?
Can I volunteer at the Museum?
Are internships available?
Planning a Visit
How do I get to the Museum by car or bus?
The Brooks is located at 1934 Poplar Avenue in Overton Park, which is just off Poplar Avenue, west of East Parkway, south of North Parkway, and adjacent to the Memphis Zoo. For more directions by phone please call 901.544.6200.
By Car
Traveling I-40 Eastbound - Take exit 1B for US-51/Danny Thomas Boulevard. Continue on Alabama Avenue. Exit ramp left at Alabama Avenue. Turn left on Poplar Avenue. Inside of the park continue straight ahead, and you will soon see the museum on the right.
Traveling I-40 Westbound - Take I-40 West from Nashville to Memphis. Follow the signs. Do not leave the expressway route, although you will see alternate directions for I-40. You will stay on the same road which will turn into Sam Cooper Boulevard, passing exits for Perkins Road, Graham Road, and Highland Street. Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard through 2 stoplights until you come to a T-intersection. This is East Parkway, and you will turn left. Go to the next traffic light and turn right. You are now on Poplar Avenue. As you travel West on Poplar Avenue, you will pass the forested area of the park on the right and come upon the golf course area. After you have passed the lighted intersection at Cooper Street, take the first right turn into Overton Park. You will come to a 4-way stop at the golf clubhouse. Continue straight ahead, and you will soon see the museum on the left.
Traveling I-55 Northbound - Take I-55 North into Memphis. I-55 turns into I-240 at a huge multi-interstate interchange, take I-240 West. Do not exit towards I-55/St. Louis signs. Continue straight North on I-240 to Union Avenue. Take Union Avenue East exit. Continue on Union Avenue for about 3 miles. Take Tucker Street to the left. There is a large buff brick Church of Christ building on this corner. Continue on Tucker Street, crossing Madison and Poplar Avenues. Follow straight into Overton Park. The museum is straight ahead on the right.
Traveling from the Memphis International Airport - Follow the signs from the airport onto I-240 West. Take Union Avenue East exit. Continue on Union Avenue for about 3 miles. Turn left on Tucker Street. Look for a large buff brick Church of Christ building on this corner. Continue on Tucker Street, crossing Madison and Poplar Avenues. Follow straight into Overton Park. The museum is on the right.
Traveling from all Points in Arkansas and Missouri - Take I-55 South from Northern Arkansas or Missouri, I-40 East from Central and Southern Arkansas. Take or continue on I-40 East and cross the Hernando Desoto Bridge (the northernmost one that looks like an “M”). At the end of the bridge is an exit for Front Street. Exit South. The next intersection you will come to is Poplar Avenue. Turn left on Poplar Avenue. Continue on Poplar Avenue for about 4-5 miles to Tucker Street (just past McLean Boulevard). Turn left onto Tucker Street and follow straight into Overton Park. The museum will be straight ahead.
Traveling Highway 78 West through Olive Branch - Take Highway 78 West through Olive Branch. Highway 78 West turns into Memphis’ Lamar Avenue. Take I-240 West to Airways Boulevard. Take Airways Boulevard North. Continue on Airways for about 5 miles. You will go past the Fairgrounds where the road changes names to East Parkway. Soon after the Fairgrounds, you will come to a large intersection at Poplar Avenue. Be careful, there are two sets of lights to watch for here! Take Poplar Avenue to the left. As you travel West on Poplar Avenue, you will pass the forested area of the park on the right and come upon the golf course. After you have passed the lighted intersection at Cooper Street, take the first right turn into Overton Park. You will come to a 4-way stop at the golf clubhouse. Continue straight, the museum will be on the left.
Traveling from Alabama - Take 78 West all the way into Tennessee (this becomes Route 4). Exit onto I-240 towards Arkansas/Little Rock/downtown. Stay on 240 until you see an exit for Union Avenue. Exit to the right taking Union Avenue East. Take Union Avenue until you reach Tucker Street (you will pass McLean Boulevard and Starbucks and a Walgreens). Turn left onto Tucker Street and follow straight into Overton Park. The museum is on the right.
By Bus
Visitors can access the Museum off MATA bus Route 50 Poplar. For all MATA Routes and Schedules
click here.
Is parking free or do I have to pay?
Parking if free. Parking is available in front of the museum and along the roads within Overton Park. A street-level public parking lot behind the museum and next to the Overton Park golf course is also available.
Handicap spaces are located in front of the museum's plaza, near the main entrance. Free valet parking is provided only during selected events.
Are there bike racks?
Yes, the bike racks are located on the plaza at the main entrance of the museum. Visitors who ride their bikes to the museum receive a $1 off their admission.
When is the Museum open?
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday Closed
- Wednesday 10 am – 4 pm
- Thursday 10 am – 8 pm*
- Friday 10 am – 4 pm
- Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
- Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
*The Brooks is open every Thursday until 8 pm. The museum galleries close at 8 pm, however the Brushmark seats until 9 pm. Call 901.544.6225 to make your dinner reservations today.
Learn more about Brooks After Hours. The museum is closed Mondays, Tuesdays, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
How much is admission to the Museum?
Admission to the Brooks is always free for Members!
The last ticket is sold 30 minutes before museum closes. Tickets include admission to all current special exhibitions and permanent collection. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Purchase admission tickets online!
- Adult: $7
- Seniors (65+): $6
- Students (w/ ID): $3
- Youth (7 – 17): $3
- Children 6 and under: Free
- Student groups scheduled through the Education Department: Free
- Student groups unscheduled: $1 per student
* Special exhibition rates may apply for traveling exhibitions. Learn about special rates for group tours.
Is there a time when admission is reduced?
Every Wednesday is Pay What You Can--you set your own admission fee! From a penny to any dollar amount, you decide what you pay.
Can anyone bypass the admissions line?
All visitors must stop at the Admissions Desk to receive an admission sticker for the day. Members must show their card to the admission or membership staff and receive an admission sticker before entering the Museum.
When is the Museum Shop open?
- Wednesday and Friday 10 am - 4 pm
- Thursday 10 am - 8 pm
- Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm - 5 pm
- Closed Monday and Tuesday
- Closed Thanksgiving Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day
Can I come to the Museum just to visit the Museum Shop or the Brushmark Restaurant? If so, do I have to pay the admission fee?
Yes, you may come to the Museum just to visit the Museum Shop or the Brushmark Restaurant. And no, you do not have to pay an admission fee.
What are the Library hours and do I need an appointment?
The Brooks Library is open by appointment only on Fridays. To make an appointment please call 901.544.6200 or email the Brooks' Librarian, Wendy Trenthem at wendy.trenthem@brooksmuseum.org.
Is there a coat check?
Yes. The coat check is located at the Admissions counter.
Are baby strollers permitted in the Museum?
Yes.
Is there a restaurant inside of the Museum?
Yes, you may purchase a meal or snack in the Brushmark Restaurant. Outside food is not permitted in the Brushmark Restaurant or anywhere else in the Museum. The Brushmark serves lunch 11:00 am-2:30 pm, Wednesday-Saturday, 11 am to 2:30 pm on Sunday. Dinner is served every Thursday, 5-9 pm. For reservations call 901.544.6225.
What is the price range of a meal at the Brushmark Restaurant?
Dinner entrées are $20-30, appetizers are $8-10, and lunch entrees $4-14. Please click here for the Brushmark’s menu.
How much time does it take to tour the galleries?
If you would like to experience everything, give yourself at least two hours. There is a lot to see here at the Brooks. The Brooks is housed in an 86,000-square-foot facility. Time varies depending on traveling exhibitions.
Visitors with Disabilities
Is the Museum wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchairs are available at admissions at the front entrance, on the main floor. If you would like Security to meet you at your car at the front entrance, please call 901.544.6200. There are a limited number of wheelchairs, so they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The front is handicapped accessible with a ramp from the parking lot.
Does the Museum offer special programs or tours for visitors with visual or hearing impairments?
The Museum offers a variety of programs for visitors with diverse needs. Please call the Education Department at 901.544.6215 for more information.
Visiting as a Group
How do I arrange a visit for a school group or group of adults?
All guided and self-guided school groups, and all adult groups must make advance reservations for visits. Reservations are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and tend to fill up quickly. Please make your reservation as early as possible. A reservation form must be filled out in advance. To make a reservation online click here. You may also make your reservation by calling 901.544.6215 or emailing edu@brooksmuseum.org.
Why should I pre-register my self-guided group?
In the event of an emergency, the Museum staff will be better informed and able to assist your group members if we have your contact information on file. Pre-registering gives your group priority over non-registered groups when entering the Museum’s galleries. To make a reservation online click here. You may also make your reservation by calling 901.544.6215 or emailing edu@brooksmuseum.org.
Tours and Talks
Can I have a guided tour at anytime?
The Brooks Museum offers private guided tours that must be scheduled in advance. If you would like to learn more about the museum’s permanent collection you may choose to take a tour led by a docent that is free with museum admission. Please call 901.544.6215 or email edu@brooksmuseum.org for times and specific topics.
Do you offer gallery tours in any languages other than English?
Arrangements can be made in advance to schedule alternate tours in select languages. Please click here to email the tour coordinator to schedule your appointment.
Are there tours in Sign Language?
Presently the Museum does not have any scheduled tours for our visitors with hearing impairments, but we hope to initiate this service in the near future.
Does the Museum offer audio tours?
The audio tour provides interpretive audio programming about selected galleries in the Museum’s permanent collection at no additional cost to museum visitors. The Permanent Collection will be offered in English and Spanish for kids and adults in 2012. Selected traveling exhibitions will also be available on audio guides in English. The Brooks audio guides app will soon be available for download, or you can use the iTouch audio guides available at admissions for free.
Are audio tours offered in languages other than English?
The museum’s audio tour of the permanent collection will be offered in English and Spanish in 2012.
What programs does the Museum offer for children?
The Museum offers programs such as FREE admission Family Days, Creation Station, Wacky Wednesdays and more for children. Please check the calendar for current listings.
About the Museum
Is the Museum a private or public institution?
The Brooks Museum is a private, not-for-profit institution governed by a Board of Trustees, operating in a building owned by the City of Memphis.
What does the term “permanent collection” mean?
The permanent collection of the Brooks Museum is made up of the works of art that the Museum actually owns. (It does not include works in special exhibitions or works temporarily on loan to the Museum.) The Brooks Museum’s permanent collection numbers more than 8,500 (ranging from African art to works on paper), but only a fraction of these works can be on display at any given time. The Collection is rotated (that is, some objects are put away so that others can be shown) in the permanent collection galleries, but there are always many works in the storerooms.
How large is the Museum and its collection? What is in the Museum’s permanent collection?
The Brooks Museum has the largest fine arts collection in Tennessee. The permanent collection includes more than 8,500 objects -- such as painting, sculpture, works on paper, decorative arts, and video art from most major world cultures – and is housed in a 86,000-square-foot facility. The Museum's permanent collection ranges from ancient antiquities to contemporary art, and represent a wide range of cultures.
To view selections in our permanent collection please click here.
Why are some objects not on exhibition?
The Museum’s permanent collection include more than 8,500 objects, but only a 3% of these can be on exhibition at any given time. Sometimes works are lent to other museums for special exhibitions. Certain types of objects, such as watercolors, textiles, and photographs, are sensitive to light and begin to fade if they are exposed for too long, so their exhibition time is limited. Finally, as large as the Museum is, there is not enough room to display everything in the collection. In order to present our best works, the collection is rotated periodically.
What does the term “special exhibition” mean?
A special exhibition is a temporary installation of artworks devoted to a particular theme. Special exhibitions may include works from the Brooks Museum’s collections, but usually feature works that are borrowed from museums around the country or around the world. Sometimes a special exhibition will show works that belong to just one institution or owner. Special exhibitions are usually on view for about 12 weeks and often travel to other museums before or after being shown at the Brooks Museum.
What are the current special exhibitions at the Museum?
Please see our Exhibitions page.
How do I find out how much an object in the Brooks Museum collections is worth?
The Museum does not disclose the monetary values of objects in its collection.
Can you tell me the value of an artwork that I own?
The Museum does not provide monetary appraisals. To determine the value of an object or to find an appraiser, you may contact the American Society of Appraisers or the International Society of Appraisers.
American Society of Appraisers
555 Herndon Parkway, Suite 125
Herndon, Va. 20170
Tel: 800.272.8256 or 703.478.2228
Fax: 703.742.8471
E-mail:
asainfo@appraisers.org
Web site:
www.appraisers.org
International Society of Appraisers
1131 SW 7th Street, Suite 105
Renton, Wash. 98057-1215
Tel: 206.241.0359
Fax: 206.241.0436
E-mail:
isa@isa-appraisers.org
Web site:
www.isa-appraisers.org
How can I have my historic or artistic work restored?
The Brooks is unable to provide conservation services to the public. Stanton University's Preservation maintains links to numerous Web sites providing information regarding the care of artworks. Please visit
aic.stanford.edu for online conservation resources. For assistance in finding a conservator, please contact:
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works
1717 K Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: 202.452.9545
E-mail:
info@aic-faic.org
Web site:
aic.stanford.edu
Additional Internet Resources:
Painting, Sketching, and Photography in the Museum
Are visitors permitted to sketch in the Museum?
Visitors are invited to sketch in pencil on pads smaller than 18” x 24” without easels or other floor standing supports. Groups wishing to sketch should contact the group tour coordinator to schedule a time for their visit. Please call 901.544.6215 or email
edu@brooksmuseum.org. Some traveling exhibitions may be excluded.
Are visitors allowed to paint in the Museum?
Visitors who wish to copy a work of art must apply for a permit issued by the Brooks Museum. Copying is restricted to works in the permanent collection.
All copies must be made on a scale that differs from the original by at least 20% in both height and width. Copies must be stamped by the appropriate curator upon completion. Objects on loan to the Museum may not be copied without the written permission of the owners. Works by living artists may not be copied without their written permission.
Certain rules govern the use of art materials by staff-supervised groups in the Brooks Museum’s permanent collection galleries and special exhibitions. Please call the Education Department at 901.544.6215 for more information.
Is photography or videography permitted in the Museum?
Photography is permitted with no flash for personal and casual use. Flash is forbidden because it has the potential to damage artworks as well as it is distracting to other museum visitors. On occasions, photography restrictions do come up. Visitor Services will inform the public about such restrictions upon their arrival and appropriate signage will be posted at exhibition entrances. Video and tripods may not to be used in any museum gallery. Movie and video cameras also may not be used in the galleries.
Membership, Donations and Volunteering
How do I become a Member?
To become a Member,
join online; stop by the Admissions Desk; pick-up and complete an application form, or mail it along with your dues to the Membership department; or call 901.544.6230 during regular Museum hours.
What are the benefits of becoming a Member?
Benefits vary depending on the level of Membership.
See a complete list of Membership benefits.
How do I make a donation to the Museum?
You may make a secure, fully tax-deductible donation online; by calling the Development Department at 901.544.6219 and using your Visa, MasterCard, or American Express card; or by mailing a check made payable to the Brooks Museum.
I am a current Member and/or donor. How can I change my name and/or address and continue to receive mail from the Museum?
By providing your new name and/or address to the Membership Department by phone at 901.544.6219, fax 901.725.4071, or
e-mail membership here.
May I designate a secondary Membership card holder?
Yes, starting at the Family and Dual level and above, Members receive a second card in the name of a family member or friend of their choosing.
Can I give a Membership as a gift?
Absolutely! A Membership to the Brooks Museum makes any occasion special. Memberships make great birthday, graduation, wedding, anniversary, or holiday gifts for family, friends, and/or business associates. Gift Memberships are available by calling 901.544.6230 or 544.6200. To purchase a Gift Membership online
click here; or stop by the Admissions Desk.
How do I receive my Brooks Museum Members discount?
Simply by presenting your Membership card to any Museum associate in the Museum Shop or Brushmark Restaurant upon payment. Your 10% discount will be deducted from the full retail price.
Can I make a contribution in honor or in memory of someone?
Yes. Your gift in any amount to honor someone special will be acknowledged with a beautiful card informing the person of your thoughtfulness. Gifts in memory to commemorate the life of loved ones will be acknowledged with a unique card to the family. Call 901.544.6230 for further information.
How can I donate a work of art to the Museum?
Since its founding, the Brooks Museum has benefited from the generosity of the public in building its collections, and we continue to welcome gifts. However, not every object is right for the Museum’s collections. If we already have a work that an offered gift duplicates, or if a work would never have a chance to be exhibited, we prefer not to add it to the collection. Therefore we have a careful process for reviewing all gift offers. If you wish to offer an artwork to the Museum, please send images, along with a letter outlining your intentions, to the curatorial department in which your work would be housed. If you are not sure which department is appropriate, you may send offers to the attention of the Chief Curator. Please call 901.544.6200. We appreciate your generous intentions.
Can I volunteer at the Museum?
The Museum offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Please call 901.544.6215 for more information or
submit a form of interest online here.
Are internships available?
The Brooks Museum’s Education, Development and Marketing Departments offer a limited number of summer or semester internships.
Apply online now or call 901.544.6214 for more information.