10 Cool Places To See Art In Las Vegas

Despite Las Vegas being known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, art is probably not the first thing you think of when you think of Vegas.

Sure, the art scene in Las Vegas may not be as in-your-face as it is in London or Amsterdam, but don’t let that fool you into thinking there’s NO art scene here.

Beneath the glitz and glamour of the famous Strip lies a hidden little art scene waiting to be discovered. In a city known for its casinos, nightlife, and larger-than-life attractions, it’s easy to overlook the different mediums of artistic expression that Las Vegas has to offer.

While there’s not too much going on in Vegas when it comes to the fine art scene, you’ll still be able to find a couple of venues where fine art shines. And if contemporary art, massive art installations, street art, or colorful murals are your thing, you’ll find a nice dose of all that in various areas of Las Vegas such as in the downtown area and even on the Las Vegas Strip.

For those willing to explore beyond the neon lights on the Strip, you’ll find a surprising array of galleries, installations, and public art waiting to be explored. Head to these cool places to see art in Las Vegas.

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Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art

The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, located on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, is one of the best places to see amazing contemporary art in Las Vegas.

Dedicated to providing access to thought-provoking art that challenges perceptions and inspires creativity, don’t be fooled into thinking that this isn’t a real art gallery. It is! Even though it’s located on the UNLV campus.

As the only true art museum in Las Vegas, the Barrick Museum strives to break down barriers to entry, offering free admission to all exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and community activities. How awesome is that, right?

Recent exhibits include “Modern Desert Markings: An Homage to Las Vegas Area Land Art,” “Am I Your Type,” “Crowd Burst,” and “Meanwhile, a few feet away from you.”

The Marjorie Barrick Museum’s main exhibit hall layout is similar to that of many major art museums with an open, airy feel and comfortable benches placed throughout for those who want to sit back and take in the art.

Cost: Free (suggested donation is $5 for adults, $2 for children and seniors)

ARTE Museum

If you’re looking to get off the Strip, one super cool place to check out is ARTE Museum. If you’ve ever been to Tokyo and experienced teamLab’s museums, this is very similar.

At ARTE Museum, you get to experience nature and technology coming together at their main exhibition called ‘ETERNAL NATURE’.

In this exhibition, you’ll see flowers that keep blooming thanks to special art technology, and you’ll feel the timeless beauty of nature through cool designs. But ARTE MUSEUM doesn’t stop at just visuals. You’ll be using your nose there too. Yup, there are actually scents tailored to each artwork that you get to experience while you’re here!

After exploring the museum for a few hours, you can head to the TEA BAR to enjoy sweet, tea-based mocktails.

Cost: Starting at $50

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art

The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) offers an intimate, 2,600 square-foot space for exhibitions of curiosity and art. Established in 1998 inside the Bellagio Resort & Casino, the gallery has been a hub for showcasing exhibitions of artworks and objects sourced from internationally acclaimed museums and private collections.

Past exhibitions have included a diverse range of themes, from “In Bloom” to “Ase: Afro Frequencies” and “Samurai: Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection”.

Currently, visitors can explore the exhibit “ICONS of Contemporary Art,” which celebrates the multifaceted works of influential modern artists. Featuring original pieces by renowned artists such as Yoshitaka Amano, Ghada Amer, and Frank Stella, this exhibition challenges convention and provokes thought on both visual and conceptual levels.

Admission to the gallery does seem rather high, given that the space is so small. With just about a half-hour of exploration, you’ll be able to get through the gallery.

Before you leave, check out the Perrotin Store, a new space championing contemporary art, located beside the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art.

Cost: From $18

Martin Lawrence Galleries

Founded in 1975, Martin Lawrence Galleries specializes in original paintings, sculpture, and limited edition graphics that you can actually buy. While not exactly a museum, you’ll certainly be able to see fine art here.

Nestled within the Forum Shops of Caesars Palace, this gallery offers a surprisingly interesting collection of works from world-famous artists like Philippe Bertho, Erté, Marc Chagall, Robert Deyber, François Fressinier, Frederick Hart, Keith Haring, Douglas Hofmann, Liudmila Kondakova, René Lalonde, Felix Mas, Takashi Murakami, Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt, and Andy Warhol.

As you explore the 27,000 square-foot gallery, you’ll come face-to-face with original and unique works by 20th-century masters. Marvel at Salvador Dali’s largest oil painting in history displayed alongside a complete suite of Marilyns by Andy Warhol.

Whether you’re in the market to actually purchase a piece or just observe, you’ll be free to enter and peruse. The friendly staff welcomes you to browse the museum-quality treasures and is dedicated to helping you find the perfect piece to start or add to your collection.

Cost: Free

The Park West Fine Art Museum & Gallery

The Park West Fine Art Museum & Gallery Las Vegas in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace is another great spot to check out art at. And if you have the budget for it, you can buy the pieces you see here too!

From art auctions on cruise ships to gallery locations in Michigan, Las Vegas, and Hawaii, Park West Gallery has been a trusted destination for art lovers since 1969. With top-notch framing and delivery services available from their logistics center in Miami, collectors can enjoy their art for years to come, no matter where they are.

Through collecting events, educational seminars, and art exhibitions, Park West Gallery strives to make the art world accessible to all. You can visit one of their two locations in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace to experience the beauty and wonder of fine art.

Cost: Free

PRO TIP: The Forum Shops are a hotspot for unique art! In addition to Martin Lawrence Galleries and the Park West Gallery, you’ll also find Kush Fine Art. This art gallery features a unique collection of original paintings, prints, drawings, jewelry, art books, and bronze/silver sculptures of Vladimir Kush.

Nuwu Art

Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center (NAGCC) is a POC-owned art and activism hub housed in a distinctive purple building, dedicated to fostering creativity, community, and cultural exploration. Comprised of talented artists from various backgrounds, the collective is committed to cultural revitalization and exploration.

NAGCC’s mission is to provide a platform for artists to showcase their work and engage with the public. Through drawing, painting, sculpting, weaving, and storytelling, they aim to decolonize perspectives and create inclusive spaces for families and youth.

Their diverse programming includes exhibitions like “Bridges” and “Hija/e/o/e(s) de Su–“, curated by talented artists such as Geovany Uranda, Cesar Piedra, and Scrambled Eggs. More recently, on exhibit is “Forward,” their first all-womxn exhibition showcasing the weaving of cultures and narratives.

Be sure to check their schedule for upcoming events, free workshops, and classes.

Cost: Free

Downtown Las Vegas Arts District

This 18-square block area of Downtown Las Vegas (also known as 18b) is home to galleries, shops, artist studios, and more.

Your first stop should be the Arts Factory. This creative hub houses several art galleries, studios, and shops, making it a must-visit destination for art lovers who don’t mind browsing through a workspace type of environment. You can explore the diverse selection of artwork on display, chat with resident artists in their studios, and perhaps even purchase a unique piece to take home.

From there, take a stroll along Main Street to discover the colorful array of murals adorning the walls of buildings. These large-scale artworks showcase the talent of local and international artists and add a bright, dynamic energy to the entire neighborhood.

This part of town is where you’ll find the First Fridays event taking place, a monthly event that features not just art galleries, but also the chance to engage with emerging talents, taste local cuisine from food trucks, and listen to fun music.

As the name suggests, the event takes place on the first Friday of every month.

Cost: Free

Lighthouse ArtSpace Las Vegas

Conveniently located at the prestigious Shops at Crystals (adjacent to ARIA Resort & Casino), Lighthouse Las Vegas is a space tailor-curated for immersive art experiences that rotate throughout the year.

Lighthouse Artspace is the first experiential entertainment multi-plex, aiming to cultivate community and creativity through large-scale events and exhibitions of all art forms.

At the moment, they’re hosting the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit. Visitors will be immersed in Van Gogh’s works — from his sunny landscapes and night scenes, to his portraits and still life paintings.

While this is less art-focused, there’s also an Immersive Disney Animation exhibit on view there.

At Las Vegas Strip Hotels

Las Vegas Strip hotels are not only known for their luxurious accommodations and entertainment options but also for their impressive installations of art displayed throughout their lobbies and public spaces.

Take, for example, The Venetian and Palazzo! Known for its stunning recreation of Venice’s iconic landmarks, The Venetian also boasts an impressive art collection. One of the most popular attractions here is Samuel G. Bocchicchio’s unique water sculpture “Acqua di Cristallo” at the Palazzo Lobby.

At The Bellagio lobby, visitors can admire works by renowned artists like Dale Chihuly, whose colorful glass sculptures adorn the lobby ceiling. You can also stop by The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden to see the latest seasonal exhibit — a living, breathing installation made of tens of thousands of fresh and preserved flowers and plants.

Then, there’s ARIA Resort & Casino. Aria takes pride in its commitment to showcasing contemporary art throughout its property.

Another really notable piece of art on the Strip is Bliss Dance, a breathtaking sculpture by artist Marco Cochrane located in The Park, an outdoor dining and entertainment district adjacent to the Park MGM resort. This towering, 40-foot-tall sculpture of a dancing woman is illuminated at night, creating a captivating spectacle for visitors.

Cost: Free

Seven Magic Mountains

Seven Magic Mountains is a public installation of seven towers made up of painted, stacked boulders that stand more than 30 feet high.

This colorful art installation was created by Ugo Rondinone and commissioned by the Nevada Museum of Art. The installation serves as a bold juxtaposition between the natural landscape and human intervention, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of nature, culture, and the passage of time.

Despite its modern and man-made appearance, Seven Magic Mountains feels strangely at home in the desert.

No matter how you photograph them, they’ll be photo-ready. These colorful rock totems look so darn cool against the dusty barren desert landscape!

Cost: Free

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