Upon opening to the public in 1954, the McNay’s collection began with a strong emphasis on Modern European and American art, particularly French painting and Post-Impressionism, and now includes over 20,000 objects. Collection strengths include American art since World War II, Modern European and American prints and drawings, and a collection of over 9,000 Theatre Arts objects focusing on scene and costume designs. The museum began in a 24-room Spanish Colonial-Revival home and has expanded to 45,000 square feet and a sculpture gallery and garden.
Exhibitions & Dates
AT&T Lobby: Teresita Fernández
Aug 30 2018 - Aug 18 2019
Installation invites contemplation of North America's social history
LOL: The Art of Staged Comedy
Nov 8 2018 - Feb 17 2019
Explore hilarity through art, stage, screen, and more
Cande Aguilar: barrioPOP
Nov 15 2018 - Mar 17 2019
Immersive installation featuring large-scale paintings, collages, and digital video elements
Auto Show
Jan 8 2019 - May 12 2019
Artworks whose primary subjects are cars and car culture
Estampas Chicanas
Jan 17 2019 - May 5 2019
Exhibition focuses on Chicana artists, many of whom have had to fight to make their voices heard
Goya’s Disasters of War: A Contemporary Conversation
Feb 14 2019 - May 5 2019
80 etchings chronicling the horrors of war alongside contemporary work highlighting their relevance
American Dreams: Classic Cars and Postwar Paintings
Feb 14 2019 - May 19 2019
Works explore the ingenuity and innovation of postwar America
America on Stage
Mar 14 2019 - Jul 7 2019
Diverse works of 20th- and 21st-century designers