The Krannert Art Museum is the second-largest public art museum in Illinois — a quiet fact that surprises most visitors who expect a campus art gallery rather than a serious institution. The permanent collection spans 5,000 years and includes ancient Egyptian artefacts, European paintings from the Renaissance through the 19th century, and a strong collection of 20th-century American work. The decorative arts galleries, covering European and Asian ceramics and furniture, are unusually comprehensive.
Admission is free. The museum does the most important thing a university art museum can do: it puts genuinely good objects in front of students who are not there specifically to see them. The café is run by university students and is a reliable lunch option near the south end of campus.