The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, usually shortened to CAM, is a free museum of new art in the Grand Center Arts District, and it is an easy, stimulating way to see what living artists are doing. It stands at 3750 Washington Boulevard and presents a changing program of contemporary art exhibitions, with no permanent collection, so every visit is different. Admission is free and no ticket is required. It is open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 and on Thursday from 10:00 to 19:00, and it is closed Monday and Tuesday and on Juneteenth, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, with early closing on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The museum also runs programs including First Friday events, and its site links to the Great Rivers Biennial, a recurring showcase for artists from the region. The galleries are generous and modern, and the museum is an easy walk from the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, so you can see two free museums within a few minutes. A visit takes about an hour, which suits people who do not want a full museum day. The art can be challenging, and the exhibitions vary in what they suit, so read the current program before you go and set your expectations accordingly. It is not aimed at young children, though curious teenagers often enjoy it, and it is a pleasant rainy-day stop. Because it is a non-collecting museum, it feels closer to a gallery than a traditional museum.
How to visit
CAM is about ten minutes from downtown by car and also reachable by MetroLink to the Grand Center area. Entry is free and no ticket is needed; the museum lists its hours, closures, building information and visitor map on its own site. Thursday is the late night, open until 19:00, which makes it a handy after-work stop. Check the current exhibitions before you visit, since the museum changes shows regularly.
What to expect
A quiet, modern building with changing exhibitions that may include painting, sculpture, video and installation. Some shows are playful and some are demanding, and wall text explains the ideas. Expect a visit of about an hour. Look at the museum's calendar for talks and openings, which add an extra layer for those who like to meet the artists.
Making the most of it
Combine CAM with the Pulitzer Arts Foundation next door and then eat in Grand Center or the Central West End. For contrast, visit the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park for older work, or Laumeier Sculpture Park for outdoor contemporary sculpture. Because the museum is free and short, it fits well between other plans, and it is especially useful on a wet afternoon when you want something free and indoors.
Give yourself a few minutes in each gallery, read the wall texts, and do not worry if a particular show is not to your taste, because the program changes regularly and the next exhibition may suit you better. Visitors who enjoy a talk or opening should check the calendar, since the museum programs events around its exhibitions and they are often free or low cost.
What to expect
The experience
A free, self-guided museum of changing contemporary art exhibitions in a modern building.
Best time
Wednesday to Sunday daytime, or Thursday evening before 19:00.
How long
About an hour.
Tips
Read the current exhibition information first, remember it is closed Monday and Tuesday and combine it with the Pulitzer next door.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Contemporary art fans and anyone who wants a free indoor stop.
- Families
- Better for teenagers and curious older children than for toddlers.
- Couples
- A good cultural stop before dinner nearby.
- Pair with
- The Pulitzer Arts Foundation, the Saint Louis Art Museum or Laumeier Sculpture Park.
- Time needed
- Allow about an hour.
Good questions
Is the Contemporary Art Museum free?+
Yes. Admission is free and tickets are not required.
When is it open?+
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 and Thursday from 10:00 to 19:00. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday and several holidays.
Where is it?+
At 3750 Washington Boulevard in the Grand Center Arts District of midtown St. Louis.
Does it have a permanent collection?+
No. It presents a changing program of contemporary art exhibitions, so each visit is different.
What is nearby?+
The Pulitzer Arts Foundation is a short walk away, and Grand Center also has theaters and restaurants.
