Part of the vibrant Dallas Arts District, the Crow Collection of Asian Art is one of Dallas’ must-see art museums. Free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, the Crow Collection is a permanent set of galleries dedicated to the arts and cultures of China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia.
Located at 2010 Flora Street next to the Nasher Sculpture Center and just down from the Dallas Museum of Art, the Crow Collection has an incredible offering of Asian art on permanent display, in addition to hosting special traveling exhibits.
Upon entry, a calm and relaxing atmosphere that invokes the peace and serenity of a Japanese tea garden greets visitors. The Crow Collection of Asian Art is specifically designed to provide a calm environment for learning about Asian art and culture. You’ll feel relaxed upon entry, even on your most stressful days.
On the lower level entrance (facing Flora Street) is the permanent indoor exhibit, “The Crow Collection of Asian Art,” which showcases various selections from the Crow family’s impressive art and antiquities collection. The museum grounds are equally impressive – and are home to more than 30 bronze sculptures that comprise the “Trammell Crow Bronze Collection.”
While strolling through the sculptures, enjoy the soothing music played through inconspicuous speakers hidden throughout the grounds. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported from the busy streets of Dallas to the quiet Zen gardens of Asia.
In the front of the building facing Harwood Street is a famous, larger-than-life sculpture of a horse. To the rear of the grounds at the corner of Flora and Olive streets is another interesting sculpture titled “The Right Light.” This sculpture features an artist painting an easel, with an artist’s kit with brushes and tubes of paint on the ground next to him.
Get the most out of your visit with one of the free, docent-led tours of the permanent collection. These tours are available Tuesday through Friday during regular museum hours. You can also attend a drop-in tour Thursdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays at 1:00pm. Tours begin in the main lobby of the museum and are approximately 45 to 55 minutes.
Docent-led tours at the Crow Collection are interactive, discussion-based experiences exploring the significance and cultural context of works of art from China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia. The tours include a discussion of Eastern customs, religions and philosophies in order to further your appreciation and understanding of the art.
Whether you are taking a docent-led tour or enjoying a self-guided visit, be sure to ask to use the sketching boards and pencils. These drawing instruments are available for free upon request for both adults and children.
The Crow Collection is also open the third Friday of every month from 6:00pm until midnight. The program, called “Crow Collection After Dark,” features dance, films and music from Asia as well as tours of the collection. Entry is free, and includes complimentary drinks and food.
Before you leave the Crow Collection, stop by the Lotus Shop, the museum’s gift shop that offers a wide selection of gifts, cards and jewelry from Asia.
If you are driving to the museum, paid parking is available in the Trammell Crow Center Garage. You can enter the garage from either Harwood or Olive streets. If you are a museum member (‘Friends of The Crow Collection’), you will receive 2 hours of complimentary parking in the garage. Metered parking is available on Harwood, Ross and Olive streets, and paid surface lots are available on Ross and Olive streets.
If you want to stay close to the Crow Collection and the Dallas Arts District, a number of popular hotels are located nearby, including the Fairmont Dallas Hotel (located in the heart of the Dallas Arts District) as well as The Adolphus, Aloft Dallas Downtown, Hyatt Regency Dallas, and Sheraton Dallas.
You can visit the Crow Collection Tuesday to Thursday (10:00am – 9:00pm) and Friday to Sunday (10:00 am to 6:00 pm). The collection is closed on Monday and the following holidays: January 1, July 4, Thanksgiving Day and December 25. Prior to your visit, be sure to check the website for information on special exhibits and weekend children’s events.
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