Protest Signs

Signs of Protest: Photographs from the Civil Rights Era

Signs and protests were inseparable in the 1960s, with words painted or printed large scale to produce maximum impact when photographed or filmed by the media. Like a visual bullhorn, they both amplified and unified the voices fighting injustice. Ninety percent of the works featured in Signs of Protest: Photographs from the Civil Rights Era were acquired by VMFA in the past three years and emphasize the museum’s commitment to diversifying its photography collection.

Ken Ramsay, Susan Taylor, as Model, c. 1970s

Race, Place & Identity: Richmond Organizations Highlight Civil Rights and Social Justice

Starting in January 2014, eight Richmond-based arts and cultural organizations will partner to facilitate community-wide conversations inspired by their respective exhibitions and programs. Participating institutions include Candela Books + Gallery, Anderson Gallery VCUarts, Black Iris, 1708 Gallery, Elegba Folklore Society, Reynolds Gallery, the Valentine Richmond History Center, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Leighton Painting

Special Exhibitions & Gallery Installations

With an exciting lineup of special exhibitions, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts brings the world to Virginia in the form of great art representing the span of world cultures. VMFA is internationally recognized for its ambitious special exhibitions drawn from the world’s finest public and private art collections as well as the museum’s permanent collection. Exhibitions are subject to change. For the latest information please visit vmfa.museum/exhibitions. General admission is always free. Some special exhibitions require an admission fee.

Teak Chairs

VMFA Acquires Rare Gilded Age Chairs

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts recently acquired one of only two known Herter Brothers Drawing Room chairs, four Cy Twombly photographs from his Black Mountain residency, a pair of Lockwood de Forest chairs, a Marguerite Zorach painting, and two Zulu costumes. The Metropolitan Museum of Art recently acquired the mate to VMFA’s Herter Brothers chair, which continues the museums’ history of collaboration.

McGlothlin Wing

Museum-wide Wi-Fi Now Includes Sculpture Garden

VMFA’s E. Claiborne and Lora Robins Sculpture Garden is now Wi-Fi accessible. The outdoor space is part of a three-phase program to hardwire the museum’s entire campus with broadband-speed Wi-Fi. Includes

Shop Glasses

VMFA Pop-Up Opens Columbus Day

Three retail outlets serve holiday shoppers this year 2013-10-09 The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Shop announces its first off-site retail presence in the Richmond region. The VMFA Pop-Up shop, will open on Columbus Day, October 15, and remain open seven days a w

Museum Entrance

VMFA and Library of Virginia Announce Art in Literature Award

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Library of Virginia are pleased to announce Art in Literature: The Mary Lynn Kotz Award. This award recognizes an outstanding book in fiction or nonfiction that demonstrates the highest literary merit as a creative or scholarly work on the theme of visual artists or art.

Outside Best Cafe

VMFA Receives Federal Grant

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts was recently awarded a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Museums for America grant in the amount of $132,320 will assist with the purchase of a compact shelving system, additional cabinets and other shelving units, and in contracting two part-time registration assistants and a consulting conservator.