Denver Art Museum Colorado

If you are visiting Denver and happen to be a lover of art, you have to visit the Denver Art Museum. In addition to being an architectural wonder, the museum features an array of global art collections, as well as Indigenous Arts of North America, Latin American Art, Art of the Ancient Americas, and more. Representing cultures across the world, it also showcases the talents of artists from Denver and the Rocky Mountain region.

*Denver Art Museum with Lanny & Sharon Martin Building behind sculpture to the left, and the Frederic C. Hamilton Building to the right; All photos courtesy of ETG*

History of Denver Art Museum Colorado

Founded in 1893, DAM was originally known as the Denver Artists’ Club. In 1971 the visionary Martin Building influenced a paradigm shift in museum architecture, its reflective glass tiles and bold design have left an indelible mark. (see below for more info about the Lanny & Sharon Martin Building)

In 2000, Daniel Libeskind’s vision materialized as the Frederic C. Hamilton Building. A striking piece, adorned with titanium panels reflecting Colorado’s sunshine, it houses captivating exhibitions and engaging learning spaces.

Due to soaring attendance and evolving community outreach, both a significant renovation and expansion were announced in 2016. By October 2021, a reimagined campus emerged, complete with the renewed Ponti-designed building and the welcoming Anna and John J. Sie Welcome Center.

Frederic C. Hamilton Building

Architect Daniel Libeskind’s brilliance came alive in 2006. This geometric 146,000-square-feet wonder, covered in reflective titanium panels, expands the museum’s horizons while honoring Colorado’s landscapes.

Then in 2021, the Denver Art Museum welcomed visitors to its renewed campus, where the Ponti-designed building sits. Art, education, and community converge, beckoning all to explore the wonders within.

Lanny & Sharon Martin Building

The Martin Building (formerly North Building) emerged in 1971, designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti as well as Denver’s James Sudler Associates. This eight-story, 210,000-square-foot gem revolutionized museum space, uniting collections. A modern marvel, it departed from traditional design, with over a million reflective glass tiles and 28 vertical surfaces. This icon is Gio Ponti’s sole US project. After four years, the Martin Building and Anna & John J. Sie Welcome Center opened, offering expanded galleries and immersive arts education via the Bartlit Learning and Engagement Center.

Bannock Administration Building:

Adjacent to the Hamilton Building, the Bannock Administration Building blends seamlessly. Designed for innovation and collaboration, it is a testament to the museum’s commitment to fostering creativity.

Don’t miss a visit to the Denver Art Museum. The building is also a stunning work of art itself. You will be inspired – this is a place with history, culture, and also imagination. Denver Art Museum, 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204; https://www.denverartmuseum.org/