Friendly and not the least bit pretentious, the San Jose Museum of Art is a place to soak up art in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Featuring a permanent collection of approximately 2,000 pieces, the museum specializes in 20th- and 21st-century works from the West Coast and North Pacific and is gaining a solid reputation as a supporter of electronic and interactive art.
Explore the permanent collection, which consists primarily of modern and postmodern pieces, drawing extensively from Bay Area and North Pacific artists. You’ll find paintings, drawings and works in other traditional media, as well as cutting-edge installations and new media pieces that reflect San Jose’s role in the technology industry.
While the permanent collection is diverse and engaging, it’s quite small and is best viewed alongside one of the museum’s special exhibitions. The museum runs extensive educational and outreach programs for children and adults, so if time allows, take in a lecture, workshop or concert.
Tours of the museum leave the lobby twice a day, but private or group tours can be booked in advance. The museum is also a great place to sit back and relax. Find one of the many reading areas inside the museum or head over to the on-site café in the historic wing.
The San Jose Museum of Art is located downtown in the historic post office building and its adjoining annex. Nearby parking can be expensive however, the museum is close to a light rail station. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, except major holidays.
San Jose Museum of Art Tours and Activities
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Popular places to visit
St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica
Take a free guided tour of this majestic church to see its excellent stained-glass windows and intricate ceiling art.
The Tech Interactive
Bring your kids to learn about modern advances and enjoy building your own robot and playing with the interactive displays in this museum’s themed galleries.
San Jose Convention Center
Learn about the events happening at San Jose Convention Center during your trip to San Jose. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
San Jose City Hall
After visiting San Jose City Hall, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in San Jose. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
ART-TECH Silicon Valley Institute of Art & Technology
You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in ART-TECH Silicon Valley Institute of Art & Technology in San Jose. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Learn about the local history of San Jose when you take a trip to Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
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