When travelers think of the world’s most iconic modern architecture, their minds often drift to the glass pyramid of the Louvre in Paris. But you don't have to cross the Atlantic to experience the genius of legendary architect I.M. Pei. Tucked away in the heart of Southern Indiana is a geometric masterpiece that brings world-class culture to the Midwest—and it won't cost you a dime to enter.
The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University is a visionary landmark that proves "flyover country" is actually a destination for fine art. Whether you are hunting for a Picasso or looking for a dramatic, light-filled space to recharge, this museum is a "quiet luxury" experience in the best possible way.
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A Geometric Vision: The I.M. Pei Masterpiece
Eskenazi Museum of Art
The museum isn't just a building that holds art; it is a work of art in its own right. "When Indiana University commissioned I.M. Pei in 1973 to design a permanent home for its art collection, the result was visionary," says Mindy Besaw, the museum’s director. The resulting structure, completed in 1982, remains one of the most significant examples of modern architecture in the region.
"The building is composed of three interlocking triangles—a bold geometric statement that immediately distinguished it as one of the most significant examples of modern architecture in the Midwest," Besaw notes. This signature Pei style creates a space where the architecture itself guides your journey. "For Pei, who was known for designing cultural landmarks that shape how audiences move through space, the commission offered an opportunity to create not just a container for art, but a work of art itself."
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Picassos and Passages: What to See Inside
Eskenazi Museum of Art
Many visitors are stunned to realize the caliber of the collection housed here. "Did you know you can see a Picasso painting in southern Indiana? And that’s only the beginning. The Eskenazi Museum of Art houses art from around the world and across centuries—and admission is always free," Besaw explains.
While the gallery walls are impressive, there are a few iconic "must-sees" that have become part of local lore. Outside, you'll find the Light Totem, a vertical beacon that has become a "rite of passage" for students who take photos with their "legs up against the wall, lights glowing across them and the museum facade." Inside, the collections are equally captivating. "Visitors gravitate toward the museum’s extraordinary ancient jewelry collection, featuring intricate adornments from antiquity that feel astonishingly contemporary in their craftsmanship," while the Arts of Africa gallery highlights powerful works of identity and innovation.
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Exclusive Access and What’s Next in 2026
Art Museum photo shoot at Eskenazi Museum of Art on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019.Eskenazi Museum of Art
Perhaps the best-kept secret of the Eskenazi is the ability to get up close and personal with pieces not currently on display. "The museum has object viewing rooms—equipped with advanced technology for close study and virtual access—where students, researchers and members of the public alike can schedule appointments to experience works of art up close," Besaw says. With over 47,000 objects in the vault, "the viewing rooms offer a rare chance to have a near-private encounter with art history."
Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, the museum is leaning into immersive and thought-provoking installations. "The immersive exhibition Mulyana: Vital Ecosystems has transformed the featured gallery into a luminous underwater environment made from textiles," while the upcoming March exhibit, Rania Matar: Where Do I Go? روح؟ لوين, explores themes of identity and girlhood. Later in the year, the museum will even participate in the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by spotlighting a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, "affirming that art is not only something to observe, but something to experience, reflect on and live with.
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