Dallas is so fortunate to have Dallas Contemporary. Thought provoking, well curated, striking contemporary art installations. It's wonderful that DC's admission is free. Friendly and informative is the staff. Excellent special programs of learning more about their exhibits and featured artists! Presently, "Francisco Moreno: Historia Sintetica" is a Not To Be Missed Remarkable Exhibit On View through August 30th, 2026! CHEERS! read more

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This is a donation base museum with Vietnamese coffee popup from Dang. I came for coffee of course and didnt venture out. From what I saw in the front, they had art and crafts section in the front you can draw. Coffee was 10/10. They brew it in a phin for authenticity. Everything is made infront of you, there will be a 3 mins wait for the phin to brew coffee. Its not much longer than usual starbucks wait. read more

Dallas Contemporary - They have Vietnamese coffee pop up - Art Museums Near Me - Dallas, Texas

This gallery is perfect for a solo date and the staff was very friendly. I can't wait for more exhibits or even pop-ups in the space. read more

Dallas Contemporary - Art Museums Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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First time visiting the center, probably my last. All thought the Art displayed was great, there wasn't a lot of it. I guess I was expecting a larger display of art. Person checking in was friendly, just not what I expected. read more

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"Gallery" might be a better category than "museum", though I'm not an expert. It's a small warehouse space, took me about 15 mins to wander thru. It's an eclectic curated space, definitely for those who like & understand Contemporary art. I might not be that person. But I can appreciate people expressing their own creativity & exploring their definition of art. During my visit, the exhibits were from UT art students (I don't know if that's the norm or special exhibit.) And kudos - their work has been selected for gallery/museum exhibition. read more

Dallas Contemporary - Art Museums Near Me - Dallas, Texas

This little small non profit museum is always worth a visit .I've watched it grow from a very small space and limited budget to an impactful player in the Dallas modern art scene. Today's show is based on ceramics. While not my thing,the show is well curated and worth a look. If you haven't been by this converted industrial building in the shadow of Downtown Dallas,make a trip. read more

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Came here for the Brian Fridge exhibition and as I've never been to the contemporary museum I was excited to go. The museum itself has plenty of parking and a few exhibits on display. The exhibit I visited for was a short film (6 mins) summarizing the solar eclipse we have coming up in a few weeks. After that, we toured the museum and saw two other exhibits that were very interesting but nice to see. The customer service was great and they offer complimentary wine. I look forward to returning to see future exhibitions as they come. read more

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Came to this cool contemporary art museum on a quiet Saturday afternoon with family. Entrance is free though they do request a donation if you can. It's a cool industrial building with plenty of space and light, perfect for the rotating exhibits they feature. There were four artists showing their work in different parts of the building, all with very unique styles. Great spot to wile away an hour! read more

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Love the curation of this place and it's FREE! Perfect place to impress a date on a budget or if you love art. The space is small compared to other museums (3 exhibits going on when I went), but that's a plus for me as everything has to be extra extra curated and it doesn't feel overwhelming for friends that can't do hours in a museum. It's also very covid safe since not many people are there at a time. I went on a Saturday afternoon and there were maybe 10 people including the staff. The staff is also very friendly and knowledgeable about the exhibits. Only drawback is the museum "shop" (really just a wall near the entrance) is also extra extra curated, so don't expect to come home with too much memorabilia. read more

Dallas Contemporary - Hand washing sign with matching Aesop soap & lotion - Art Museums Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Pretty cool place to visit while in dallas! It's free admission and theres some free parking! It is pretty small and won't take like more than 30 minutes to get through it all but you are welcome to stay around and take pictures and hang out there. I went during this one exhibition with dancing pink and blue puff balls omg it was so cute and fun ! My bf and I had a blast trying to take pictures and not get smooshed at the same time. It was also pretty peaceful to watch and oh man they are super soft!! Definitely a place to go to for friends or a date! Theres lots of good places to eat around the area too and happy hours so maybe plan it near that time! read more

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I've been here many times; guided tour and solo. Every time has been pure bliss! My favorite being Mary Katrantzou - went multiple times. I actually enjoy the guided tour now after experiencing it, as you learn so much about the artist themselves. You also get an idea of how much work the volunteers put into making Dallas Contemporary so great, lots of free labor and I applaud them for it. Truly, the staff is so kind, passionate and informative. Can't wait for the Jeremy Scott exhibition! This place is a must see when there's an artist you're even slightly fascinated by showing there. read more

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The Dallas Contemporary is a great, low-key way to enjoy art in Dallas. - Location: The Dallas Contemporary is a sizable museum tucked away in the Design District. There is plenty of parking so it makes for an easy visit. The space is sizable so I am able to enjoy the artwork without struggling for space to view each piece. - Art: They typically have three exhibitions, which provide a variety of art work. The exhibitions seem to rotate every 3 to 6 months so you can visit a few times a year and see completely new art each time. On my most recent visit, I really enjoyed the Ian Davenport exhibition - Horizons. I'd recommend seeing it before it leaves in March! - Value: The museum is free, but they recommend a $5 donation. Who doesn't love great art for the optional price of $5?! read more

Excellent exhibit space. I never feel like the piece of shown are crowded or bunched together. This visit I saw the ceramic exhibition that had some thing for everyone's taste. So much talent on display. Hopefully, next time more of the museum will be filled with heart. The young lady at the desk when I came in, was very helpful and friendly. We had a nice chat, and it added to my enjoyment for the day. I live near Philadelphia but always visit whenever I am in town. The Contemporary never disappoints. read more

I think the exhibits when we went were... underwhelming. I wanted to see the big, bright pink and orange teddy bears!! I wanted to see different art and paintings! The room with the lock and key paintings were pretty cool. I'm glad this museum was free (they accept donations at the front) because I would have felt ripped off if I had to pay a $20 admission fee. read more

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i'd recommend checking this place out -- the staff are kind & informed. i was most interested in the ceramics exhibit & the eduardo sarabia this must be the place exhibit -- some of the stuff was a bit underwhelming like the cardboard for example and the pickle. creative works of art on display overall. also free!! read more

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A great place to stay connected to the contemporary art world. Always an engaging exhibit. Fun openings and lots of reasons to be a member. Really important for the Dallas art scene and our future status as an international art powerhouse. read more

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This place was smaller than what I thought but very nice and quiet - perfect for the pandemic , low traffic, a lot of nice art and quiet time - if that's what you like. I was given a clipboard and a sheet of paper to draw what I interpreted from the photos as well as colored pencils and a chair. Most art was very interesting and there were 3 separate exhibits- one that was photography focal. It's a must, will come back once the exhibit is updated. This space would be great for dates, friend and family outings. read more

Dallas Contemporary - Art Museums Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Love, love, love Dallas Contemporary! I've been a member of its young professional group, Dallas Contemporaries, for the last 2 yrs. I became a member bc I liked the exhibits so much. I was captivated & knew I had join after the first exhibit I saw. I didn't want to miss art that translated into such visceral and memorable experiences as the exhibits I saw at Dallas Contemporary. Becoming a member only added to my positive D.C. experiences allowing me to attend private exhibit openings which are fabulous parties with amazing art, interesting people, a DJ, drinks, and the Dallas skyline as the backdrop. Of course there's the occassional exhibit that doesn't speak to me as much, but that's to be expected. Dallas Contemporary is a must whether visiting or becoming a member. read more

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Absolutely wonderful gallery. Helpful staff and very interesting modern exhibits. I wouldn't spend more than an hour or so here but it's a great short afternoon activity. Will definitely be back soon. read more

They live up to their name, contemporary! Never censored, emotional, RAW pieces that make you feel awkward. The contemporary isn't about pretty happy paintings, they are serious pieces that make you feel all kind of feelings. The huge open space they have gives the exhibitions even more life. The art here isn't art that you find at the Kimball or DMA! No way! I've been lucky enough to attend opening shows, they are amazing! Open bar, food, live music, people from all kinds of backgrounds. Yes, it may be a little snopy at times, but after a couple of drinks no one cares. It's places like this that makes Dallas such a great place to live! read more

Dallas Contemporary - Art Museums Near Me - Dallas, Texas

This is growing to be one of my favorite art spots in dallas. It's HUGE and has giant pieces and art installations that are very unique! But I will say they could make more use of all the space they have! Aka, I wish there was more art to see because it would make for a longer experience at a place I already enjoy. The receptionist is nice and the restrooms here are top notch and clean. Bring a camera and a $5 donation! read more

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Great Free non collecting museum. The Dallas Center for Contemporary Art (a.k.a. The Dallas Contemporary) is an indispensable part of the present-day Texas art scene. Twenty yearly exhibitions at this welcoming, dynamic space highlight up-and-coming, ethnically diverse Texas artists. Studio art classes and a resource room for practicing artists make this a functioning creative center and a cutting-edge showcase of new talent. The shows are topical, multicultural and conceptual. As an example, a showing of fireworks corresponded with a national ceramics convention held in Fort Worth, while the monthly Mosaics series always features the work of ethnically diverse artists. There is no charge for admission, but exhibit charges may vary. Also a great size so you can get a little art and not feel overwhelmed. Also this is walking distance to the Latino Cultural center as well as a couple of private galleries. read more

This is not your typical art museum. Located in the Design District on a semi-shady street, you can already get the feel of this museum. The large warehouse spaces is usually filled with 3 - 4 exhibitions of contemporary art. While you can walk around a view the art on any given day, I recommend coming to their exhibition openings. They are usually much busier, include the actual artists and incorporate partying. They also offer fun volunteer positions. read more

Small contemporary museum with big name shows. Stuff you won't see anywhere else. They have epic gallery openings. Not really for kids.

Dallas Contemporary is such a gift. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable, allowing those of all backgrounds (not only the arts) to feel welcome. All demographics are able to come here and experience art work that is at the forefront of a worldwide conversation. Kids and families would have an amazing experience here where the current exhibition is interactive and vibrant while thought provoking and refreshing. Dallas Contemporary has played an integral part in making Dallas an emerging powerhouse for the visual arts. Thanks for everything! read more

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Great big space for contemporary works. Super nice and helpful staff. Really liked both contrasting exhibits. They were literally installing a third while we were there. If you dig contemporary art, this is your place. I always thought the place was another smarmy commercial design district gallery, but it's truly a top notch museum. 10/10 read more

We went here to visit a little while ago and although I was wanting to love this museum, I left feeling a little down and wondering "huh?" The entire facility was basically abandoned and just had one maintenance guy working there so werent very sure what all was an exhibit or just a exhibit in the process of being setup. We really wish tha there was someone at their front desk to ask questions and get some information about the facility and their art exhibits. Like scott mentioned, I felt like some of the exhibits left me wondering if what i was seeing was art but I did appreciate the vision of the museum to display non-traditional pieces. I'm planning on coming back to see what else they have later on down the road but this probably wont be a museum I frequent on a regular basis read more

I just don't get it. I love art museums. I really do. I like street art if its real and from the heart too. This place? Its just not for me. I don't get it. I guess there are people who do. I want for an evening event for the Dallas Observer complete with food bites, drinks, and awful music. Just because you put on go go boots and a pink sparkly dress doesn't mean you should be on stage screaming into a microphone trying to be Courtney Love. Really? It was pretty awful. There were a couple decked out lowriders on display and the uptight women in mini black dresses with their sky high stripper heels admiring them would probably never give the Mexican guys who built the art the time of day. And the fashion show? Putting gas masks on your models in four variations of a white bikini isn't new. It has been done already. Not avante garde. Not even interesting. I felt like the majority of the place was trying too hard to be cool and failing at it. A star for the "Seafood Shack" which had some awesome ceviche. Another star for the free strong cocktail of tequila from Sauza. The rest of it? Oh my. Go on preening for each other. I'll go to the DMA and the Fort Worth museums and the Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival and never will I totter around on hooker heels with my skirt halfway up my ass nor shall I wear a gas mask to look at art. read more

Loved the exhibit! Wish I could of made it when they had more than 1 exhibit! The guy at the front was super nice as well

The Dallas Contemporary is free, conveniently located for Dallas, has rotating exhibitions, and usually high-quality art. There's no reason not to check it out if you live in Dallas and enjoy art. There have been 3 exhibitions each time I have gone. It's fun to see multiple works by each artist next to each other. This place is more like a gallery than LACMA or MOMA, so go with appropriate expectations. ~45 minutes is enough time for a visit. read more

It's a true gem here in Dallas. It's completely free and you get to see so many different works. All they ask is that you donate $5 when you leave. We're really lucky to have this here, not only for the art the showcase but also the activities they provide for the community. read more

Almost always pretty empty and chill unless it's the last weekend of an exhibit... almost always at least one really cool exhibit... free admission... easy parking... what's not to like? Worth checking out every time they change exhibits... read more

Highly recommend the Dallas contemporary. They have outstanding exhibitions and for the price of free! The staff is always wonderfully helpful and nice. Dallas is lucky to have this place. I often visit with out of towners and it's always a great experience. read more

Attended their Design District Market this past Saturday, August 10. Had a lot of random vendors and quite a bit of traffic. They may need to find a means to draft air through the building using fans when the event is held in August! read more

This small museum is a joy to visit. If you like unique and varying shows, it will not fail to delight.

Showing a mix of regional and international contemporary art, this place rocks. Best of all, unlike other museums in Dallas, it's free and full of current education connections - via video and qr codes. Totally worth a trip over to the design district. My company rented out the space for a product launch in April and it was off the hook. All the customers loved the building....Elizabeth, the events manager was super to work with. A real pleasure. read more

I attended the CBS White Out Party ! It really made me feel like it was a red carpet affair. It was awesome how they transformed the place it to a white wonderland. The vendors were great. There was alcohol everywhere to taste. They event had Kenichi and other resturants with appetizers. I enjoyed my self. The only negative that it felt like a sweet box. If the AC was on full blast it would have gotten 5 stars. The neighborhood looked a little sketchy. read more

Its a good size space, but you can be in and out in 30 minutes. But you don't feel bad because its free! The current exhibits aren't my cup of tea. One is graphic, but at least it was art. The other big exhibit was the "weird" kind of I-guess-its-art kind of art. But, doesn't mean I won't go back in a few months. All 3 exhibits close at the same time turn over. Every 4 months its like a brand new museum. Fingers crossed I like that one better. read more

Came here for the Iron fork event, it was ok there were lots of booths set up with lots of food and drinks. It was fun except that it was too hot on one side of the event. read more

Drive past their art space all the time. I love it here. You must go visit!