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March 2024 by Alexey Golubev
A first-class collection of modernist art with free admission - what more to wish for?
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March 2024 by Russell Reed
If you like to be treated like a criminal and yelled at by oppressive guards for pointing at a piece of art, then by all means visit! If you love being stared at and followed around/profiled then the Menil is for you!After the way the guard talked down to me and my wife 3 minutes into viewing the exhibits for pointing at something from a foot away we just left. I am proud of myself for biting my tongue over being talked to like a child for absolutely no reason.Why even bother having it open to people if you are going to act this way? What an oppressive and unfriendly bunch!I've been to many fine museums, and this isn't one of them.
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March 2024 by Laura Tabbut
Beautiful collection of art and great bookstore. This was the only redeeming feature of our visit. We drove across the country to see an exhibit at the Drawing Institute. We were glad to make the trip, HOWEVER, The museum staff and guards were exceptionally unfriendly. Multiple staff members evaded answering our questions. They were rude and treated visitors like they were an inconvenience, not just us. If you have children of any age and any disposition (even well behaved) be prepared to be treated like a second class citizen. From someone who travels extensively for art history research, I will not be making the trip to Houston again.
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March 2024 by Sona Chaudhary
Agree with everyone noting that the security is intense and overbearing. I couldn't relax or get into looking at the art because I felt so scrutinized. I'm young, a person of color, and I look queer so any or all of those might've been flags. It sucked standing there, wondering what about my person was so off that security was tracking my every move and moving so close to me. I left after maybe 15 minutes.
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March 2024 by Sethanie Coles
Horrible experience staff were only looking at me and my family while everyone else could enjoy their time. Was told not to get close to a painting very rudely and we weren’t even near it. Some other people can in and got close as hell to a painting but weren’t told anything. This place is prejudice and will never be back DO BETTER
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March 2024 by Shannon Oubre Coles
It's pathetic that we couldn't follow up our great visit to the Houston Holocaust Museum with another nice visit. My kids first alerted me that an older black female security guard told them not to get too close to a painting. Others had gotten closer! We went on to other areas of the museum. There seemed to be so many eyes on us everywhere we went. Like FOLLOWED everywhere. No one else was followed. It was so uncomfortable that I got pissed. We couldn't enjoy the visit! I'm still processing the difference between us and the other patrons. We talked and joked. Other patrons talked. My kids are 20, 16, 13. The teens are honor students. They are good kids. They weren't touching anything. It was like we were going to take or break things.
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March 2024 by Lisa Bergeron
A free art museum with an impressive permanent collection, as well as frequently rotating exhibitions that are always excellent??! Yes please! I make a point of coming every couple of months to see what new exhibits are on and I love it every time.Also there is a parking lot!!! For free!!!
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March 2024 by Anastasiia Berestovska
I will never come to this museum again in my life, the caretakers are like Cerberus. Too much attention to the visitor, too many stupid rules, scary to breathe. MFA also has very valuable masterpieces, but I never feel myself like under a magnifier. Poor workers, they must give these comments to people who came to enjoy the art and spoil the impression, I don’t think they may enjoy it or it really must be paid well. Toxic job. What is so divine about this art, so that you are trying to protect it like Mona Lisa? Some of them even my kid may recreate.I came with the kids so they would do sketching and each room - don’t let your child too be too far from you, hold their hands, don’t let them to come too close, no photos, no videos. They are not wild monkeys, they know how to behave in museums.
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March 2024 by Robin R
Staff are all over the place, standing right next to you while you try to see... museum was ok. An Asian Chinese lady staff was extremely rude at us this Sunday and created a ruckus... we gave a written complaint so management can take action and hire better behaved staff in the future.
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March 2024 by Carlos Roberto Martínez Romero
For a private collection it is admirable. The architecture of the building and especially the layout of the exhibitions are outstanding. However, I did not feel comfortable during my visit. The guards are quite invasive. I have been to the best museums in the world. And I have never felt so persecuted. I believe that seeing the collection does not justify the discomfort you may feel, and with so many good museum options in Houston, I do not recommend a visit.
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February 2024 by Na Li (娜爷 AM1050美食琅琊榜)
The Menil Collection, a private museum nestled in Houston, offers an incredibly unique art experience. What sets this boutique museum apart is its unconventional approach to admission – on a donation-only basis. Upon entry, visitors are encouraged to contribute an amount they feel comfortable with, and while the suggested donation is $20 per person, the emphasis lies on making art accessible to all.The museum itself is a hidden gem, featuring a vast and extraordinary collection of art. Its exterior may appear unassuming, but step inside, and you're met with a spacious, calming environment that exudes artistic charm. The relaxed ambiance invites visitors to explore and appreciate the carefully curated pieces.The staff at Menil Collection add to the overall positive experience. Their friendliness and helpfulness contribute to the welcoming atmosphere, enhancing the enjoyment of the artistic journey. It's evident that they are passionate about sharing the beauty within the museum.An intriguing aspect is the occasional unveiling of a permanent collection collective. During these moments, visitors are kindly asked not to take photos, respecting the privacy of the artists and collectors involved. This decision adds an air of exclusivity to the experience, encouraging patrons to immerse themselves fully in the art without distractions.Moreover, Mio Collection keeps things fresh with a series of different exhibitions that change regularly. This commitment to diverse and evolving displays ensures that each visit offers something new and exciting.In essence, Menil Collection stands out not only for its impressive and rare art pieces but also for its commitment to accessibility, privacy, and a continuously evolving exhibition landscape. It's a haven for art enthusiasts seeking a unique and relaxing artistic escape in the heart of Houston.
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February 2024 by Pathos Live
The collection itself was fantastic, and it's incredible that there is no admission fee. The docents, however, were rude and condensending. They follow you around the museum and watch your every move, scold you as if you're an uncultured child, and are overall not pleasant. I got yelled at for not noticing the black tape on the black floor, standing on it, and being too close for the art work. Another time I used my pinky finger to gesture at an aspect of a painting from multiple feet away and was scolded once again and asked if I had ever been to a museum before. Extremely rude.This was my first time visiting the Menil in 12 years and I no longer recommend visiting there. Go to HMFA instead. You will have a nicer time and the docents don't treat you like you're in a police state. It's worth the extra money.To the Menil, I understand you've had some very tragic vandalism in the past. However being condensending for unwritten rules and enforcing non sensible ones like not gesturing towards artwork is ridiculous. Find a way to balance security and the visitor experience. And teach your staff some southern manners. Your staff's attitude toward the public if you aren't white and old is downright embarrassing and you should be ashamed.
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February 2024 by L Lebanoff
I'm no art aficionado.Some of it was good but you can't take pictures and I can't believe they had a person stationed in each room and one piece of art on each wall almost. Entry fee is donation only.
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February 2024 by Tom nguyen
They got a bunch of fake bakongo nkishi figure here. Nice peoples and staff, but their collection of congo art are mostly fake
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February 2024 by Christopher Malmevik
The building is absolutely stunning, architecturally speaking. The art does rotate but I got to see a Warhol and a Pollock. I felt at peace inside. People are respectful and quiet. There’s not a lot of rooms so it’s not an all day affair. It’s also free! You simply need to register a time when you want to go and an online ticket is generated. I definitely want to go again.
