Museums & Galleries | Durham, NC

Durham's art scene doesn't keep office hours. World-class institutions like Duke University's Nasher Museum of Art anchor the landscape, while 21c Museum offers contemporary art exhibits 24/7 for night owls and insomniacs alike. Small galleries, artists' studios and businesses showcase local and visiting artists, with plenty of work available to take home. Art spills beyond gallery walls, too – you'll find it tucked into coffee shops, restaurants and unexpected corners throughout the city. From temporary pop-ups to permanent collections, brick-and-mortar galleries to spontaneous street art, Durham offers as many chances to appreciate art as you have hours to spare.

Third Friday Art Crawl

Downtown Durham’s vibrant and ever-changing art scene is on display each month on Third Friday. An immersive, city-wide gallery crawl puts you in the center of innovative art, while offering opportunities to interact with designers at local studios and galleries. It's the perfect opportunity to connect with other creatives and art enthusiasts and get to know Durham's art scene. Expression is on full display every night in Durham, but on this particular night, our cityscape comes alive with shops and galleries, and our restaurants stay open late as impromptu music is played well into the night. And that’s just Friday. Check out our Third Friday guide to make sure you get the most out of the event.

If you can’t make it on a Third Friday, don’t fret – you can be inspired with a visit to one of many art-filled halls in Durham almost every day of the week. From permanent camera and photography displays to a historic tuba collection, we dabble in the niche and the extraordinary.

Museums for All Ages and Interests

Not an art person? No problem. History buffs, science enthusiasts, music fans, curious kids, and adults who never stopped asking "why?" all find something worth exploring here.

Uncover the story of Durham at the Museum of Durham History – from the voices of those who lived it. Feed your inner child at the Museum of Life and Science. Discover Durham's civil rights history at the Pauli Murray Center. Durham itself is, after all, a living, breathing relic and testament to what has and will be created here. Satisfy your curiosity.