Crystal Bridges – Bentonville, Arkansas

New

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. The museum opened on November 11, 2011, and welcomes all with free admission.

Crystal Bridges takes its name from a nearby natural spring and the bridge construction incorporated in the building, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. A series of pavilions nestled around two spring-fed ponds house galleries, meeting and classroom spaces, and a large, glass-enclosed gathering hall. Guest amenities include a restaurant (Eleven) and Coffee Bar on a glass-enclosed bridge overlooking the ponds, a Museum Store designed by architect Marlon Blackwell, and a library featuring more than 50,000 volumes of art reference material. Five miles of sculpture and walking trails link the museum’s 134-acre park to downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. In 2023, the museum welcomed nearly 785,000 visitors.

Art Collection

Crystal Bridges’ permanent collection spans five centuries of American artworks from early American to the present and is always free to view. Crystal Bridges is committed to telling broad and inclusive stories by acquiring and showcasing the highest quality works by artists underrepresented in art history and conventional museum frameworks. Works such as Asher B. Durand’s Kindred Spirits, Gilbert Stuart’s George Washington, and Georgia O’Keeffe’s Jimson Weed are displayed alongside contemporary artists such as Kerry James Marshall, Maya Lin, Fritz Scholder, Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith, Félix González-Torres, and Amy Sherald, representing some of the finest achievements in American art. The collection continues to grow, while the museum also offers temporary exhibitions that complement the collection and can also reveal art’s connections to equality and justice.

Education and Engagement

Crystal Bridges provides year-round programming for all ages, including lectures, performances, classes, and continuing education for K-12 teachers. More than 50,000 schoolchildren visit the museum each year as part of the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit Program, which offers schools reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses associated with a school field trip, including transportation costs, substitute teachers, and lunch. An initiative to develop high-quality online learning opportunities for students and teachers is currently underway.

Scholarship

Crystal Bridges offers two research fellowship programs. The Tyson Scholars in American Art program supports full-time scholarship in the history of American art. The Reese Teacher Fellowship provides for research into the development of interdisciplinary connections between American art and core curriculum subjects of language arts, history, social studies, and the sciences. In addition, Crystal Bridges administers the awarding of the Don Tyson Prize, an unprecedented award recognizing significant achievements in the field of American art.

The Momentary

On 02-22-2020, Crystal Bridges opened a satellite contemporary art space in downtown Bentonville called the Momentary (507 SE E St.). General admission is free.

Formerly a decommissioned cheese factory, it is now a multidisciplinary space for visual arts, performing arts, culinary experiences, festivals, and artists-in-residence offering dynamic programs and experiences. Food and beverage options include the Tower Bar (offering craft cocktails and the best views of Bentonville), the Momentary Food Truck, the outdoor RØDE Bar, and an Onyx Coffee Lab location. In 2023, the Momentary welcomed more than 156,000 visitors.

Remuseum

Remuseum is a think tank designed to spark innovation in US art museums through research, convenings, and catalytic support. Backed by David Booth, with additional support from the Ford Foundation and the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, and in collaboration with Crystal Bridges and its disruptive spirit, Remuseum explores new approaches to relevance, governance, and sustainability while championing visionary leadership across the field.

What we do

Crystal Bridges’ Art Collection

Our permanent collection spans centuries and styles, collectively offering a superb overview of American art and important perspectives on culture, creativity, and the world around us. Treasured works from the colonial era to today don’t just adorn our walls—they breathe life into every space on our campus, from the interior galleries to our outdoor trails.

The galleries are updated regularly with new acquisitions and rotating artwork selections from our vault, meaning there’s always something fresh to discover in person. Want to explore it all? Check out our full collection in our online collection database.

Exhibitions & Installations

Guests can enjoy a year-round schedule of thought-provoking temporary exhibitions, installations, and experiences organized by Crystal Bridges—some of which are ticketed, but all of which members receive free admission to. These include traveling shows as well as special presentations of artworks from our own collection and those of other museums.

- Architecture

Architecture At Home

Architecture at Home, Crystal Bridges’ first outdoor architecture exhibition, aims to spark a dialogue about contemporary housing and how it can better serve the needs of individuals and communities. Through research, interviews, and innovative thinking, five architecture firms based across the Americas designed and fabricated experimental structures that emphasize the necessity for human-centered design in homebuilding.

- Nature & Trails

Nature

The experience of and appreciation for nature is central to the mission of Crystal Bridges. The museum is situated on 134 acres of native Ozark forest which include natural springs, streams, geographical features, and a host of native plants and animals. Our dedicated Trails and Grounds team are committed to the use of native plants in the landscape, and work year-round to keep the grounds beautiful and healthy for all to enjoy.

In 2024, Crystal Bridges was awarded Level I Accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. The stunning arboretum at the museum is defined by areas of native, managed forest, flowering and specimen trees, and display gardens well-known for joyful spring displays of dogwoods, redbuds, and magnolias. Crystal Bridges is the only museum in Arkansas that’s also an arboretum.

Trails & Grounds

The trails and grounds of Crystal Bridges are a must-see part of the museum experience. More than five miles of trails wind through the museum’s 134-acre site, providing guests with access to the beautiful Ozark landscape. Designed to spark the imagination, the trails help guests form connections to the land and its history, as well as enjoy outdoor artworks.

- Seasonal Highlights

Plan your perfect visit in any season

Experience Crystal Bridges through the seasons! No matter when you visit, there’s always plenty to see, do, and explore.

To help you make the most of your time at the museum, we’ve prepared visitor’s guides for each season highlighting some of our favorite exhibitions, outdoor experiences, and ways to enjoy your time surrounded by art, architecture, and nature.

- Tours

Crystal Bridges is filled with fascinating stories. We invite a variety of guests to enjoy a spellbinding journey through our spaces by joining one of our many tour opportunities.

- Library

Visit the Museum Library

The Crystal Bridges Library features more than 50,000 volumes pertaining to American art and art history, plus archives containing personal papers and other artist ephemera, and access to several online resources. The Library provides the highest quality of access to resources and services, as well as commitment to the highest ethical standards for privacy, copyright, intellectual freedom, and preservation of information. The Library is located on the museum’s third floor and is open during all museum public hours.