Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute

Utica, United States

4.5

6 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 315-797-0000
Website:
www.mwpai.org
Address:
310 Genesee St, Utica, NY, 13502
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1 miUtica
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Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today –
Local time (Utica) 7:20 PM Monday, June 23, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Munson-​Williams-​Proctor Arts Institute is a world-​renowned organization with a history and legacy of stunning art collections, fascinating exhibitions, outstanding performances, and continuing and community art education programs and classes.

With weekly movie showings, traveling exhibitions, community arts classes, and the Pratt MWP College Campus across the road, there is always something exciting going on.

Children’s programs are offered on weekends and on breaks.

A summer festival takes place in July on the streets around the museum.

Every month there is a happy hour party on the last Friday.

Oscar nominated movies are shown on Wednesdays and Fridays.

History

Established in 1919.

Founded in 1919, MWPAI continues to evolve while maintaining traditions of fine art and culture. The Museum of Art features a renowned permanent collection, fascinating exhibitions and education for all ages in an International-​style gallery building designed by world famous architect Philip Johnson and also in Fountain Elms, a superb Victorian-​era Italianate mansion.

The Performing Arts Division presents world famous soloists and ensembles, rising stars, recitals with commentary, cinema, family programs, outdoor festival concerts, special events, and educational activities.

The School of Art offers a nationally accredited college program in association with Pratt Institute and community arts education for adults, teens and kids.

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6 reviews of Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Cowiche, WA
Don’t miss the Steve McCurry photography exhibit while it lasts — worth the $ 10 fee. Short videos allow you to hear from Steve first-​hand on topics such as technique, process and journey. Gorgeous sample of photos on display three rooms long. The Elm House self-​guided tour was quick, but offers a glimpse into the life of Utica’s wealthiest early family.
Place rating: 5
Syracuse, NY
This museum is wonderful, and brings in a lot of great shows. We went to the Warhol exhibit a few years ago and they displayed it so well. My favorite was an entire room filled with Mylar pillows! Amazing. Monet to Matisse was crowded when we went, but the flow of the place is good and can handle a lot of people. There is an impressive standard collection too. Three levels of thumbs up. Make sure to tour the Munson house near the café. Really interesting history. Bring the family, there’s a children’s room in case the little ones need a break, which is nice. Lots of art materials, books and other hands on activities. I believe they have a café, although we have not eaten there.
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
I was glad to make another quick visit here. The Mad Men interior space alone is worth a step inside but I wanted to see an exhibit of seven glorious Tiffany stained glass windows that were recently rediscovered. These luminous eight-​foot tall angels were aglow in a darkened gallery.
Place rating: 5
Washington, DC
The collection is world class, even though it is small. Munson Williams is the equivalent of the Smithsonian Institute for Utica, New York. The original endowment was from the Munson-​Williams-​Proctor families, who I think even intermarried. The Museum turned the money into a building by the world-​renowned architect Philip Johnson. The Museum also keeps the Proctor household as a part of the museum.
In the past ten years, the Institute has expanded to include a brand new art school with several buildings. This extension of the Museum represents no less than a much needed renaissance for Utica New York, which has a post-​industrial economy. The Art Institute represents no less than the imagination of Utica. That said, while the design classes and computer modelling classes are excellent, I would like the school to integrate engineering and invention to these curricula.
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
If you want to feel like you’re at the Met, but can’t get to NYC, then definitely make a trip here. It is one of the great highlights of Utica. Munson WIlliams does a great deal for Utica’s artistic scene, especially in the summer time. It’s a quaint, refined museum that is also a school of art.
I highly recommend Fountain Elms, the preserved home of the donors from the 19th century. It’s rich in Victorian history and art. My favorite paintings are from the Thomas Cole collection «The Voyage of Life.» It’s spectacular.
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
Munson-​Williams Proctor Arts Institute is a wonderful arts/​cultural resource for the local community. And. bonus. admission is free! My favorite paintings were always Thomas Cole’s «The Voyage of Life». I’ve been fascinated with those paintings since I was in elementary school.
The art museum portion of the grounds also has a little art studio for children equipped with easels, markers, paint, and other creative resources. It looks like a great place for the little ones to blow off some artistic steam.
I always find something cool and unusual to buy in the museum’s gift shop upstairs. They sell some art books and how-​to kits for children. If you’re looking for books on local history, they have a pretty solid selection of those, as well. I usually head straight for the jewelry counter to ogle everything inside that sparkles. ;-)
If you like antiques and turn-​of-​the-​century architecture, definitely check out Fountain Elms. The interior is beautiful, particularly when it’s decorated for the holidays.
It’s art. It’s culture. It’s free. Go-​go-​go!