Gehry’s riverfront shard: stainless steel that looks like it’s still mid-metamorphosis, refusing to settle into a single reading.
Art museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Featured in Frank Gehry's definitive monograph, Building Art: Life and Work of Frank Gehry.
Visitor Guide
Go on a clear day, then walk across the nearby bridges — the building is a reflection engine, and water/sky complete the composition.
From the opposite bank paths by the Mississippi River, slightly downstream; late afternoon for dimensional highlights on the metal.
You can go inside. Museum admission is free; hours vary by day (check before you go).
The building’s ‘front’ is a lie — it’s designed as a rotating object for moving viewers, not a single ceremonial façade.
1–2 hours
Design & Structure
Early Gehry freeform workflow: model-based design translated into buildable metal geometry; interior galleries require stable climate and controlled daylight despite the expressive shell.
Stainless steel as a weather/sky recorder; brick/context elements keep it from floating away from campus reality.
Freeform cladding hung off conventional structure; the trick is minimizing oil-canning and keeping seams disciplined.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Weisman Art Museum — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Frank Gehry
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Yale University
Princeton University
Hennessy
University of Cincinnati
The Guardian
Yale New Haven Hospital
Nearby in Minneapolis
Minneapolis Central Library
Guthrie Theater
Gaviidae Common
Walker Art Center
Wells Fargo Center (Minneapolis)
Christ Church Lutheran (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Weisman Art Museum?+
Weisman Art Museum was designed by Frank Gehry and completed in 1934. It is located in Minneapolis, United States.
Where is Weisman Art Museum located?+
Weisman Art Museum is located in Minneapolis, United States. Its coordinates are 44.9728°, -93.2381°.
When was Weisman Art Museum built?+
Weisman Art Museum was completed in 1934. It was designed by Frank Gehry.
Can I visit Weisman Art Museum?+
Weisman Art Museum is a real building in Minneapolis 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.