Boise Art Museum 🇺🇸

Located in Julia Davis Park at 670 Julia Davis Drive, the Boise Art Museum (BAM) serves as a vibrant center for fine arts in Idaho's Treasure Valley. Originally opening in 1937 as the Boise Gallery of Art in an Art Deco and Egyptian Revival building, BAM is now the only AAM-accredited museum collecting fine art in the state. Visiting this cultural hub offers you an engaging look at a broad variety of visual art traditions, complemented by major traveling exhibitions, installations, and educational studios.

Inside, you can explore an impressive permanent collection that highlights 20th-century realism, modern and contemporary ceramics, and contemporary abstract works. Art enthusiasts will particularly appreciate seeing the largest public collection of works by acclaimed Idaho outsider artist and bookmaker James Charles Castle. Additionally, the expanded facility features a distinctive sculpture court and an outdoor sculpture garden, offering a thoughtful, serene space to admire three-dimensional art.

Whether you are curious about local Pacific Northwest creative talent or international pieces, BAM provides a rich art experience right in the heart of Boise.

What to see at Boise Art Museum

• The largest public collection of works by Idaho outsider artist James Charles Castle
• A growing collection of 20th-century realism and modern ceramics
• Contemporary abstract artworks and unique assemblages
• A spacious sculpture court and rear sculpture garden

Visiting tips

Take time to stroll through the rear sculpture garden and outdoor court to enjoy three-dimensional artworks in a peaceful park setting.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Boise Art Museum is easy to reach on Boise’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and Ahavath Beth Israel. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Boise travel guide.