The visual arts are fascinating links to the past, refreshing sources of beauty, and ways of seeing the world through other people’s eyes. However, art museums can often seem confusing and intimidating, especially to those who aren’t used to visiting them. If those feeling are preventing you from visiting an art museum, keep reading, because it doesn’t have to be this way.
Do any of the following describe you?
I hated museum trips in school.
Despite their good intentions, class trips are not always successful. For every person who found their love of art that way, there are plenty more who felt bored and uninspired and now think of museums as no-fun obligations.
But it’s different as a grown-up. You control the itinerary now. You can see whatever art you want, stay however long you want, and you’ll get to discover art that wasn’t on the class agenda. Plus, there’s no worksheet due at the end, no forced discussion, and nobody can tell you how to feel about anything you see. If you haven’t been to a museum since you were a kid, I highly encourage you to give it another chance.
Tip: Everything in an art museum is worth seeing, though it may not all be to your taste. If you don’t know what you’ll like, just wandering around and seeing whatever you encounter works great! And remember – you don’t have to spend time with any artwork if you don’t want to. You’re in charge.
I don’t know anything about art.
That’s okay! We all have to start somewhere, and there’s a lot to be gained from the experience, even as a total beginner. Going to museums and looking at art is actually the best way to start learning about it. So it doesn’t make sense to wait until you already have knowledge.
Tip: Not all museum visitors know tons about art, and museums realize this. That’s why they offer things like guided tours or audio guide apps (both free) to help. Some artworks might seem perplexing to the newcomer, but there’s also lots that can still be wonderful, even if you don’t know the first thing about them.
I’m afraid of looking out of place.
I am constantly surprised by the human diversity I encounter on any museum visit, especially in popular, big-city museums. It’s not uncommon to see people in designer clothes, foreign tourist families, jeans-wearing teenagers on dates, and quirky artsy people all in the same gallery. It’s honestly hard to stand out in a museum crowd. Plus, people go to museums to see art, not judge their fellow visitors. (If they do, the problem is with them.)
Tip: As long as you’re not touching the art (never okay, because it’s bad for the art) or behaving in a way that’s obviously disruptive to those around you, people will probably not pay you much attention.
Museums are expensive to visit.
Sometimes they can be. Regular adult admission can cost up to $30 for some museums. But if cost is a concern, you still have plenty of options. Quite a few museums, including some pretty large and impressive ones, are completely free to visit. Others have pay-what-you-wish policies where you can essentially choose your own admission price. And most paid museums have regularly-scheduled days or times with discounted or even free admission, as well as permanent discounts for children, seniors, veterans, and some others.
Tip: Visit the museum’s website beforehand to see if you qualify for any discounts and find out about upcoming events with free or reduced admission prices.
Why bother going to a museum when I can just see art online?
It’s definitely true that you can easily see a lot of art online these days. Virtual alternatives are great options if you can’t or don’t want to visit museums in person. However, they really don’t replace all the good stuff that comes along with an in-person visit, like the opportunity to get away from your usual concerns and have a cool immersive experience. But you won’t know what you’re missing until you’ve experienced it, so you should really give live museum visits a try.
Tip: Museums are about more than just the art on display. The entire experience contributes to the fun, including the opportunity to go somewhere different, leave your ordinary concerns behind for a few hours, and discover something new and interesting in the company of others who are there for the exact same reason.
I don’t think art is for me.
Maybe it feels this way, but I highly doubt it’s true. Did you know humans have been making and using art for much longer than we’ve been writing, farming, or living in permanent settlements? In fact, scientists consider art to be a fundamental part of being human, so it’s highly unlikely than the art gene missed you completely. Plus, if you enjoy basically any kind of visual media, you’re already a pro at interacting with art, just by a different name. Studies have also shown that spending time with art can reduce stress and have a host of other mental health benefits, much like meditation or yoga. Knowledge about what you’re seeing is not needed to get these benefits.
Tip: If you haven’t felt connected to art so far, you might just need to try something different. The history of art is huge and diverse, with enough different styles, genres, movements, ad art forms to have something for everybody. I have no doubt you’ll find some favorites once you explore beyond the handful of famous artworks most people tend to focus on.
Expert guidance for your next art museum adventure

If this article was helpful to you, there’s plenty more where it came from. Learn about all these topics and beyond – including what to wear, basic tips for enjoying art, and why following simple museum etiquette is a win for everyone – in The Art Museum Adventure Guide. Get this handbook today! As an art historian, I really look forward to my museum visits, and I’ve designed this handbook to help others feel comfortable and confident in art museums, too.
One response to “Encouragement for the Art Museum Shy”
I much agree with the section I don’t think art is for well … art is fundamentally human … think of the cave paintings in France and ancient ornamented tools… I agree you might just be mistaken… give art a try. Great article and helpful!