I am sad to say I find this museum to be disappointing. I'm sure I have a different perspective than native Minnesotans and out of respect for them I understand their academically innocent childlike admiration of this place. Many residents of the twin cities come from farms or at least remember agrarian life in their not too distant past. This being the case, I'm sure any museum looks like a winner from a rural citizens perspective. It's simply the most contained art they have ever seen. Psychologically I understand this. However, being raised between Chicago, the east coast & Europe, I do look at this museum through a different lens. Not only do I see a very limited collection, but in some exhibits there are very poor examples of their kind. Of course the halls are well maintained and the exhibits look impressive but that is not what makes a museum. It is simply limited compared to world class museums which this is not. Again, it saddens me because this building and it's facade is absolutely beautiful and I have viewed these collections more than once, hoping to see more. I really tried to like this place. Unfortunately there is absolutely know way I can mention the Louvre, Victoria & Albert, The Royal Academy, MOMA, or the Metropolitan in New York in the same breath as the MIA. There is no comparison.
Pros: They do not charge admission which is a wonderful strategy to tempt newcomers to art
Cons: The above strategy can't put them on an upscale map
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