In Roanoke VA, the Taubman Museum of Art rises like a modern sculpture against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its sharp angles and sweeping glass walls reflect the region’s natural beauty while housing a diverse collection of American and regional art. Since opening in 2008, the Taubman has become both a cultural anchor for the city and a testament to the power of contemporary design, drawing art lovers and curious visitors alike to explore its galleries and embrace its community-centered mission.
Do you love regional art museums? I do! Be sure to check out the Delaware Art Museum, another fantastic regional art museum worth your visit!
You’ll first notice the museum’s striking modern architecture. Architect Randall Stout designed the building’s angular lines and a glass facade to reflect the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Stout, who trained under Frank Gehry, incorporated the museum into the urban landscape of Roanoke while paying homage to the surrounding natural environment.
Opened in 2008, the museum takes its name from Nicholas and Jenny Taubman, whose donations helped bring the museum to life. Prior to the construction of the new building, the museum was the Art Museum of Western Virginia and enjoyed a long history dating back to 1951.
The museum’s educational programs serve as a key part of its mission. It offers art classes, workshops, and lectures for all ages. School groups, families, and community members participate in hands-on learning experiences designed to foster creativity and appreciation for art.
The Taubman Museum of Art has become a central cultural institution in Roanoke, helping to revitalize the city’s downtown area. Its presence has spurred increased tourism and has made the city a destination for art lovers. The museum also plays a role in Roanoke’s broader cultural renaissance, which includes the development of galleries, theaters and other art-related venues.
Art at the Taubman
The museum houses a permanent collection of more than 2,000 works, ranging from 19th-century American paintings to contemporary art. Regional art, particularly from southwestern Virginia and the Appalachian region, also plays a central role. Pieces by American masters like John Singer Sargent and Winslow Homer are part of the museum’s extensive collection.
In addition to its permanent works, the Taubman hosts rotating exhibitions that highlight emerging and established artists. These shows span various mediums and styles, offering something for every art enthusiast. Focused on connecting with the local community, the Taubman places special emphasis on Appalachian and regional artists. This focus highlights the cultural and artistic heritage of southwestern Virginia while connecting it to broader national movements. Highlights include 19th and 20th-century American works, contemporary art and folk art.
While I enjoyed the whole museum, the folk art gallery and the gallery of Roanoke-native Antoinette Hale’s paintings. Hale painted portraits of African-American people and scenes from every day neighborhood life. My next favorite gallery was a cozy little room dedicated to the purses and handbags and other women’s accessories created by Judith Leiber. Leiber, a Holocaust survivor, immigrated to the United States in the late 1940s. Her creations are world-reknown; museums across the world avidly collect her pieces. To be able to see so many of her works at Taubman was an unexpected pleasure!
The Taubman Museum of Art does a great job of blending global art trends with a strong focus on the history and artistry of southwestern Virginia and the Appalachian region. Art lovers visit Roanoke not just for the museum, but also for the galleries, theaters, and festivals that have grown alongside it. If you find yourself in — or near — Roanoke, this is a great way to spend a delightful afternoon!
Know Before You Go
The most convenient parking to the museum is in the Tower Garage, 19 Norfolk Avenue, a short walk from the museum’s front doors. A limited amount of free, two-hour parking is available behind the museum along Norfolk Avenue.
Getting there: 10 Salem Ave SE, Roanoke, VA
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sundays noon – 5 p.m.; closed Mondays – Thursdays. Some extended hours on Fridays, so please check the website below.
Website: Taubman
Looking for other fun things to see and do in the Roanoke Area? Check out the places below:
- Hike to Roaring Run Falls
- Roanoke Pinball Museum
- StarCade Museum
- Virginia Museum of Transportation
- Winslow Link Museum
