The Frist occupies the former main post office on Broadway, a 1933 art deco building of white marble with restored aluminium grilles, terrazzo floors, and original brass details. The museum has no permanent collection of its own; instead, it runs a continuous programme of large temporary exhibitions on loan from museums around the world — recent shows have included Picasso, Frida Kahlo, ancient Egyptian, and African contemporary art.
The building alone is worth the visit; the art deco lobby is one of the best preserved in the South. The museum has a good cafe in the courtyard. Allow two hours for a standard show. Entry is by ticket, but free for under-18s and on the third Sunday of each month.