Telfair Academy

121 Barnard Street, Savannah (on Telfair Square)
912-790-8800

Open Monday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. Adults $22, seniors $20, military $18, students (13-25) $15, children (6-12) $5, young children (0-5) free. Includes admission to the Jepson Center and Owens-Thomas House. Official Website

One of two art museums operated by Telfair Museums, the Telfair Academy displays mostly traditional art and sculpture, within the setting of a 19th-century historic house.

The Telfair House was constructed between 1818 and 1819 for Alexander Telfair, son of the former Governor of Georgia, Edward Telfair. English architect William Jay designed the house in the Greek Revival/Regency style typical of his work in Savannah.

Bequeathed by Alexander’s sister Mary Telfair to the Georgia Historical Society on the condition that it be turned into a museum, the house was enlarged in the 1880s, under the supervision of New York architect Detlef Lienau. An additional story and wing were added to the original house of William Jay’s design; the statues positioned around the front entrance were added at the same time.

The remodeled Telfair House opened to the public as an art museum in 1886, and has remained open ever since. It is one of the oldest public art galleries in the South.

The Telfair Academy’s permanent collection comprises several thousand artistic and cultural objects, accumulated over the many decades since its establishment. As a small, regional gallery, much of the museum’s collection consists of works by lesser-known artists.

Acquisitions in the early 20th century focused on American artists working in the impressionist style. Later collection policies targeted works reflecting the history and landscape of Savannah. The Telfair Museum also houses a range of pieces by artists from across the South. More about the Telfair Academy’s permanent collection

The Telfair Academy also runs short-term exhibitions each year alongside its permanent collection, many of which focus on the art and artists of the South. See details of current and upcoming exhibitions.

Jepson Center

207 West York Street
912-790-8800

Open Monday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. Adults $22, seniors $20, military $18, students (13-25) $15, children (6-12) $5, young children (0-5) free. Includes admission to the Telfair Academy and Owens-Thomas House. Official website

The contemporary complement to the Telfair Academy is only yards away across Telfair Square. The Jepson Center, a striking contemporary marble and glass building designed by noted architect Moshe Safdie, opened in 2006 to display the Museums’ contemporary collections.

The Jepson Center’s exhibitions often display works by southern, local and African-American artists. It also has an interactive gallery designed specifically for children. Rotating exhibitions of items from the Center’s permanent collection, plus special traveling exhibitions, are shown every year. See details of current and upcoming exhibitions.

Savannah African Art Museum

201 East 37th Street
912-721-7745

Open Wednesday-Saturday, 12pm-5pm. Free admission. Official website

Savannah’s newest art museum opened in 2017, created to showcase the extraordinary collection of African art amassed by local businessman Don Kole.

The collection – displayed in a historic home in Savannah’s predominantly residential Thomas Square Historic District – consists of over 1000 art works from 28 countries in the African continent, together representing 150 different cultures.

The collection ranges from large and impressive sculptures to masks, pottery, military objects and figurines in wood and textiles. Docents provide tours explaining more about the history and significance of the pieces.

SCAD Museum Of Art

601 Turner Boulevard
912-525-7191

Open Wednesday-Monday. Monday and Wednesday, 10am-5pm. Thursday, 10am-8pm. Friday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Sunday, 12pm-5pm. Adults $10, seniors/military $8, students $5, children (0-13) free. Family ticket $20. Official website

The SCAD Museum of Art, operated by the Savannah College of Art and Design, is located just outside the Historic District (facing on Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard) in a historic 19th-century railroad building. Its displays concentrate mostly on contemporary art.

Like any art museum in a smaller city, SCAD Museum of Art does not possess collections on the scale of organizations of national note, but those interested in contemporary art will enjoy a visit nonetheless.

The building in which the Museum is housed is itself of architectural and historic significance. It was formerly the Central of Georgia Railroad’s north depot (the south depot, also preserved, has been transformed into Savannah’s Visitor Center and History Museum).

The depot, one of the oldest surviving railroad depots in the United States, was built in 1853, constructed from the famous Savannah gray bricks manufactured by slave artisans on the nearby Hermitage Plantation. It is designated a National Historic Landmark.

Highlights of the Museum’s permanent collection include exhibits of African-American art from the late 19th century to the present day, British and American art, 19th- and 20th-century photography and items from SCAD’s collection of costumes. More about the permanent collection

The Museum of Art also displays several special exhibitions throughout the year. See details of current and upcoming exhibitions

Beach Institute

502 East Harris Street
912-335-8868

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 12pm-5pm. Adults $10, seniors/military/students $7, young children (0-4) free. Official website

This small art center and cultural events space displays examples of African-American art and sculpture in a historic school house constructed for the education of Black Savannahians after the Civil War. See details of current exhibitions

→ More about the Beach Institute and its history

SCADstory

342 Bull Street

Open daily (Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 12pm-5pm). Admission is free, but a $5 per person donation is suggested. official website

Not an art museum in the traditional sense, but an arts-focused experience, SCADstory tells the history of the Savannah College of Art and Design through immersive 4D exhibits highlighting the college’s 40-year history in the city, drawing upon elements of each of the dozens of different degree programs offered there today.

More Things To See & Do In Savannah

– Architecture tours
– Black history tours
– Art galleries in Savannah
– Antiques shopping in Savannah
– Savannah’s African-American Monument
– Free things to do in Savannah

See also:
– Kayaking at Tybee Island
– Food festivals in Georgia
– Bull Street restaurants
– Late-night bars on River Street
– How to get to Savannah