Aspen Art Museum

Average modern art museum for adults. It’s free, that’s why I gave it a second star.

If you have kids and see this advertised as an option for something to do in Aspen with kids, RUN AWAY!

For starters, the art isn’t appropriate for kids, but most of all, the staff is SO uptight!

I let my year-and-a-half old walk through the galleries, and at least once every minute (literally), the staff kept saying, “Don’t touch!” I obviously was keeping a close eye on him and was making sure myself he wasn’t touching anything, but the staff were definitely adding to the stress of the situation.

I had to tell one of the staff, “I HEAR YOU! I’m watching my son and he isn’t touching anything! It’s an art museum after all, I know nothing is to be touched!”

So, unless you (as an adult) are extremely bored in Aspen, or absolutely love modern art and feel you have to go, I wouldn’t recommend coming here (even though it’s free).

And again, DON’T TOUCH THE ART!
D - U - H !

This is the worst museum i have ever visited. THE WORST.

I don't want to comment the art they displayed, which "were several piles of construction materials" as commented in another review. The reason we felt so disappointed is how they treat visitors. We have a 7 year old and a 2 year old. So we were told more than 10 times that do not touch anything, do not touch anything, do not touch anything..... They have about 7 or 8 people protecting their treasures (i visited Portland Art Museum about 1 week earlier than this visit; i saw about the same number of staff in the whole museum which is at least 10 times bigger); every one of them told us: do not touch anything, do not touch anything, do not touch anything..... Even worse, in the basement, there are 3 rooms with about 3 displays. One guide chose to follow our 7 year old instead of guiding us(2 year old in my arm, so no harm). tightly, two steps behind my son. Wherever my son went, the guide followed him. What really irritated me was that, when we stand in front an art piece, to reduce the hazard, he just told my son that there is no big deal for that piece, because "you can make it in your backyard". Is that a joke? You guys put that much effort to protect something we can make by our own in our backyard? We were out of the museum after 10 minutes since we started. it is simply a ridiculous place inside. Nice building outside though.

Loved this place. There was a room full of blue paintings and one painting with hidden vaginas in the background. Its a cool looking building as well. It's free to the public to view the galleries. There is a place to get food up on the roof as well.

A true gem in Aspen. There is always a variety of exhibits to explore, and the rooftop cafe is the best place to spend the afternoon sipping champagne and soaking in the views of Aspen. A must visit - especially since admission is generously free!

The Aspen art museum was wonderful. Great staff members, breathtaking views of the mountains, while you sit down, enjoy a snack with an alcoholic beverage at the rooftop restaurant and bar.

Maybe not the style of art everyone values at first glance, but if so hang around here a bit and it's likely to broaden your horizons. AAM is always welcoming and fun. The cafe is first class. The people terrific. And, the exhibits are only part of the story, as AAM provides extensive support to the art community in the Roaring Fork Valley, young and old. Excellent programs abound!

Most of the exhibits are way too modern for my taste. We wandered around with no guides in sight. Didn't have many questions anyway, but when I actually saw something I liked and wanted to ask about the artist, no one around. We finally found one person, who impatiently told us we would have to wait. Whatever.

I visited for the second time yesterday and it was just as good as I remember! The staff is all friendly and knowledgeable. I had the best time chatting with the woman working in the gift shop about design, typography, and other nerdy things (I thiiiink her name was Katie, but I might be wrong and if I'm wrong I'm sorry!) But thanks for the great time AAM!

What the others say is true. This is not a well curated art museum. Watch the video of the director "interviewing" the artist who made the rooftop hearth. I thought THAT was a piece of art... turns out it's earnest.

But besides all that. I left a thermos in their lockers and it was stolen.

Wow! Not only were the exhibits amazing, but the architecture of the building was fantastic. Not only that, but the guides were very friendly and super helpful. Would for sure recommend to any interested in art!