The Springfield Art Museum is one of the oldest and largest art museums in Missouri, with a permanent collection of more than 10,000 works spanning painting, sculpture, photography, prints, and decorative arts. The collection has particular strengths in American art from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including a notable holdings of watercolors. European works, pre-Columbian objects, and a strong collection of contemporary prints round out the permanent galleries.
The museum occupies a purpose-built facility in Phelps Grove Park, a pleasant green space just east of downtown. Admission is free, which makes it an easy addition to any itinerary. Rotating special exhibitions bring major loans and traveling shows to the city on a regular schedule. The museum also has an active education program and hosts community events throughout the year, giving it a lively, well-used feel.