Weatherspoon Art Museum, Greensboro

The Weatherspoon Art Museum, located on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, is a leading institution for modern and contemporary art in the Southeast. Founded in 1941 by Gregory Ivy, the museum began in a former physics lab as the first art gallery in the UNC system. Named after alumna and art educator Elizabeth McIver Weatherspoon, it moved in 1985 to the 42,000-square-foot Anne and Benjamin Cone Building, which includes six galleries, a sculpture garden, an auditorium, and an atrium.

The Weatherspoon Art Museum hosts over fifteen annual exhibitions, including solo shows, MFA presentations, and Falk Visiting Artist projects. Its programs address current cultural and social themes while featuring both renowned and emerging artists. Closely tied to UNCG’s academic life, especially the School of Art, the museum serves as an active learning space with classes, lectures, and hands-on experiences.

The museum’s collection includes over 7,000 works, making it a major center for modern and contemporary art in the region. Highlights feature artists like de Kooning, Sherman, Warhol, Hesse, Calder, and Ai Weiwei, along with notable collections such as the Dillard Collection, the Cone Collection, and Japanese prints from the Wright Collection. The focus is primarily on American art from the 20th century to today.

In addition to its exhibitions, Weatherspoon Art Museum offers an array of public programs, including gallery talks, lectures, panel discussions, publications, and community outreach. Through its commitment to education, access, and artistic excellence, the Weatherspoon continues to be a vital cultural resource for the university and the broader Greensboro community.