A museum that just got sharper: Foster’s addition gives Omaha a new civic living room without erasing the old monument.
Art museum in Omaha, Nebraska.
Featured in Norman Foster's definitive monograph, Norman Foster: A Life in Architecture.
Visitor Guide
Start outside—walk the gardens and edges first so you understand how the new and old buildings negotiate power—then go in and let the galleries slow you down.
From the museum grounds with both old and new volumes in frame, late afternoon for warm light on stone and a softer read on glass; inside, shoot the new circulation areas near opening (10:00–11:00) before crowds.
Yes—public art museum. General admission is free. Typical hours are Tue–Sun daytime, with later hours on Thursday.
Foster’s best work often looks ‘inevitable’—the trick is how much structural and circulation surgery it takes to make inevitability feel effortless.
2–3.5 hours
Design & Structure
Contemporary addition strategy: improve circulation, expand gallery capacity, and modernize public amenities while respecting an existing civic icon—architecture as careful negotiation rather than formal conquest.
Stone, glass, and refined interior finishes—materials used to bridge monumentality and openness, keeping the museum civic rather than corporate.
Integrating new spans and modern gallery requirements into an existing institutional complex—structure serving curatorial flexibility and visitor flow.
More by Norman Foster
View all →
University of Turin
University of Toronto
Copenhagen Zoo
Lürssen
Stanford University
London Underground
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Joslyn Art Museum?+
Joslyn Art Museum was designed by Norman Foster and completed in 1931. It is located in Nebraska, United States.
Where is Joslyn Art Museum located?+
Joslyn Art Museum is located in Nebraska, United States. Its coordinates are 41.2603°, -95.9460°.
When was Joslyn Art Museum built?+
Joslyn Art Museum was completed in 1931. It was designed by Norman Foster.
Can I visit Joslyn Art Museum?+
Joslyn Art Museum is a real building in Nebraska that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.