Founded in 1862, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery is one of the oldest public arts institutions in the United States. A smaller, more intimate museum, the Albright-Knox puts its focus on modern and contemporary art. Those fond of European, post-war American, and multiple styles of art up until the present time will delight in the wandering the gallery's halls, and won't have to spend an entire day doing so.
Best and worst times to go to the Albright-Knox
An extremely popular destination for children's field trips (the museum offers free docent-led tours for grades K–12), attending during the school year on weekdays may prove to be crowded. In addition, tours for the general public are offered each week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. With the last tour at 1:30, visiting any evening after school hours will provide the most unencumbered viewing times. Take note: the museum is closed every Monday, as well as New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Must see/do at the Albright-Knox
Exhibitions come and go at the gallery, so check the website for any updates in what is coming or going. Non-permanent exhibits may be there as little as a couple of weeks, while the longer ones stick around for several months. One of the most extensive permanent collections was donated by the late Seymour H. Knox, Jr. and includes such works as Jackson Pollock's Convergence and Franz Kline's New York, N.Y. Numerous educational activities, such as art classes and animation workshops, let patrons also get hands-on with creative endeavors.
Admission to the Albright-Knox
Current admission to the museum is in the twelve dollar range for adults, with students and seniors paying a few dollars less. Kids ages six to twelve get even more of a discount, while the youngest get in for free. Members also get in for free (after paying their annual fee), and admission is also free for active-duty United States and Canadian Armed Services personnel and their families, and members of CIMAM (the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art). Locally-owned M&T Bank sponsors a program called First Fridays, where admission is free the first Friday of every month – but this does not cover special exhibitions, which may still incur an additional fee.
Parking and Public Transportation to the Albright-Knox
The gallery has its own parking lot, which does have a fee for both members and non-members, with members paying a couple of dollars less. Parking on First Fridays is free, and also free for active-duty military. It's important to remember to take a parking ticket when entering the lot to have it validated at the Admissions Desk, as the parking fees support the museum. Getting there is easy enough, whether you're a local or coming from Canada; it's right off the Scajaquada Expressway (Rt. 198 East) – look for Exit 11, marked "Elmwood Avenue, Art Gallery." Buffalo's Metro Bus system provides a quick and safe trip to the gallery from multiple stops, both in and around the city.
Food at the Albright-Knox
The AK Café is within the gallery, but doesn't open until noon for lunch. The fare is simple: sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries. Dinner is only available on First Fridays and is also fairly basic. The children's menu is extremely limited, offering only pizza or mac and cheese. Wine and beer are available. You might be better off – especially in the summer months – to pack a picnic lunch and dine in nearby Delaware Park, which is pretty and serene after a day of viewing art.
Insider tip for visitors to the Albright-Knox
Large purses, bags, backpacks, baby carriers, umbrellas, briefcases, video cameras, flashes, and tripods are prohibited to enter the museum. And any smaller bags are still subject to inspection, so don't try to smuggle anything in that you might want back!
Author's bio: Kimberly Mintz is a writer and voice actor who lives in the Buffalo area. Find her on Twitter @KimIsWriting.
