Written by: Isabella Bickhaus
What hidden gem location is on Mizzou’s campus and is completely free for students to access? There is a long list of correct answers, but here are three of my favorites: the greenhouse inside Tucker Hall, the Laws observatory on top of the Physics building, and the Museum of Art and Archeology inside Ellis Library. While all three are great options if you have free time, the Museum of Art and Archaeology features a wide-ranging collection and hosts regular events that students can participate in.
According to their website, “the Museum’s collections include more than 16,000 objects from six continents and span five millennia – from prehistory to the present.” Not every item is on display all the time so I haven’t been able to see all 16,000 objects, but I have enjoyed some of their past and present exhibitions. Right now there are two exhibitions on display. Through May 2026, “Impressions: Black Spirit in America” explores Black experiences and their impact on American history and culture through art. At the same time “From Earth to Artist: Clay” focuses on art made with natural materials from the earth and runs through November. In addition to exhibitions, the museum has three ongoing galleries: the Saul S. and Gladys D. Weinberg Gallery of Antiquities, the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the Gallery of European and American Art.
The museum also hosts regular events, which can be found on the events calendar. Midday Music is the second Thursday of each month, when you can enjoy the museum with live music. There are Drop in and Draw events that provide materials for patrons to sketch artwork, and family days that include special activities for children. Coming in late April this year is Art in Bloom, an “annual exhibit that pairs works of art with fresh flower displays arranged throughout the museum’s galleries.”
The museum is located in Ellis Library on the ground floor, but can be accessed without ever entering the library itself. One outside entrance is off of Lowry Mall, and the accessible entrance is off Hitt Street. If you would like to enter from inside the library, all you would need to do is walk past the Bookmark Cafe on the ground floor, take a left, and follow the hallway. Currently, their hours are 10-4 Tuesday-Friday and 12-4 Saturday-Sunday. To learn more, visit the Museum of Art and Archeology’s website.