The sun is out and you’re looking to get away. But if you’re also on the hunt for some culture, an “art field trip” is an incredibly fun way to plan a vacation. Museums tell us what the institutional framework of a place values. What do they think is beautiful, educational, or worth preserving? Pick a spot with a museum or gallery you’d like to visit and get on your way. Each of these destinations is within five hours of Pittsburgh, making them potential single-day trips. But, also, it can be worthwhile to really dedicate a weekend to learning about a new place. Field trips shouldn’t just be for kids, after all. Hop in your car and get yourself cultured.
Adult Art Field Trips Near Pittsburgh
Buffalo AKG Art Museum
Buffalo, NY
Distance from Pittsburgh: 3 hours 18 minutes
The AKG (once called the Albright-Knox Gallery) is a leading destination for contemporary art in another Rust Belt city that you can easily do in a day trip. The rotating exhibitions are always prescient, but their permanent collection is also a brilliant retrospective of artists like a huge catalogue of works by Warhol contemporary Marisol and abstract expressionist Clyfford Still.
Akron Art Museum, Curated Storefront
Akron, OH
Distance from Pittsburgh: 1 hour 41 minutes
Akron punches far above its weight in terms of its arts sector. Akron’s art museum has a national-caliber collection of photography, abstract work, and sculpture from leading names like Yayoi Kusama, Chuck Close, and Marcel Duchamp. In Akron’s business district, arts professionals also run the Curated Storefront initiative that encourages the development of an art district in downtown Akron.
Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua, NY
Distance from Pittsburgh: 2 hours 24 minutes
If you’re in a creative field, you’ve almost definitely heard the name Chautauqua. It’s world-famous for its lecture series and visual arts residency, and it’s only two hours and change from Pittsburgh. A visit to Chautuqua for a lecture makes a great summer art field trip, also taking advantage of the beauty of Western New York. In a time when so few bastions of intellectual conversation exist, it’s a rare and special place.
Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland & Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, OH
Distance from Pittsburgh: 2 hours 9 minutes
Both of these art museums in Cleveland are free to enter due to generous donations from local foundations. MoCA Cleveland has some of the most cutting-edge work in the Rust Belt region in a multi-story glass building. The Cleveland Museum of Art deftly mixes contemporary art with a robust permanent collection of historical objects.
Art Gallery of Ontario
Toronto, ON
Distance from Pittsburgh: 5 hours
This art field trip is a bit more of a project, but if you have a weekend to spare, Toronto really isn’t as far away as it seems. The Art Gallery of Ontario is a world-class institution and provides an opportunity to see how another country frames its perception of art history Over the years, it’s made an effort to highlight work by First Nations Canadian artists through the J.S. McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art. Just don’t forget your passport.
The Ruins Project
Perryopolis, PA
Distance from Pittsburgh: 51 minutes
The shortest of these art field trips is less than an hour away. If you get fatigued from going to museums and want something a bit off the beaten path, this is for you. The Ruins Project is the site of a former coal mine, now converted into a collaborative mosaic art installation. Tours through the site will take you across the mining property and through the mosaic and glass that have breathed new life into a place of post-industrial blight.
Cincinnati Art Museum, Rookwood Pottery
Cincinnati, OH
Distance from Pittsburgh: 4 hours 25 minutes
Cincinnati had the first art museum west of the Allegheny Mountains, and its museum is one of the oldest in America. As a plus, like Cleveland, admission is also free. Another interesting arts institution in Cincinnati is Rookwood Pottery, the first large manufacturing company founded and owned by a woman in America. Rookwood produces gorgeous ceramics and a tour of their facility is downright magical as you watch clay turn to lustrous, gleaming ceramics.
Columbus Museum of Art
Columbus, OH
Distance from Pittsburgh: 2 hours 50 minutes
Smack dab in the center of Ohio, the Columbus Museum of Art collects a dynamic and diverse variation of works that spans American and European art from the late 19th and 20th centuries. A lot of their works show a strength in Cubism and even highlight the work of local Ohio artists. Visitors can explore a wide range of mediums, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and decorative arts. The museum is also home to a fantastic collection of works by George Bellows and has a dedicated sculpture garden right outside. Plus, admission is always free on Sundays courtesy of Art Bridges Foundation.
The Butler Institute of American Art
Youngstown, OH
Distance from Pittsburgh: 1 hour
While this art museum may look tiny in the town of Youngstown, it actually houses a number of exclusive works from famous artists and locals alike. While you can explore some of the larger works like In Flanders Field by Robert Vonnoh, make time to pursue local pieces such as one about the Little Steel Strike in Youngstown. Before you leave, explore the basement for art activities, grab a bite from the cafe, and stop by the gift shop for a souvenir.
Erie Art Museum
Erie, PA
Distance from Pittsburgh: 2 hours
Up by the Great Lakes, the Erie Art Museum, founded in 1898, boasts a collection of over 8,000 objects. Their particular focus on American ceramics, Indian bronzes, and contemporary works make sure that there’s something intriguing around every corner. In addition to its permanent collections and rotating exhibits, the Erie Art Museum also offers educational programs, workshops, and lectures that engage visitors of all ages.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia, PA
Distance from Pittsburgh: 4 hours 40 minutes
All the way on the other side of the state, the Philadelphia Museum of Art features cultural pieces from all around the world such as American, East Asian, European, and South Asian art. The museum’s extensive collection includes paintings, sculptures, textiles, as well as decorative arts. In addition to its galleries, the museum also switches out temporary exhibitions each month and hosts special events, such as tours, talks, social events, performances, and even hands-on activities.
Story by Emma Riva and Kylie Thomas
Featured Image Courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art
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