El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA) is a free art museum in downtown El Paso, Texas, with a permanent collection spanning American, Mexican and European art.
If you’re visiting from Ciudad Juárez, plan for an international border crossing as well as the drive to the museum. For an airport connection, the route between El Paso International Airport and Istay Hotel Ciudad Juarez is another part of the trip to plan.
- Location: One Arts Festival Plaza, El Paso, Texas 79901
- Published hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday
- Admission: free
What can you see at El Paso Museum of Art?
El Paso Museum of Art’s permanent collection includes 7,000 works, with American, Mexican and European art. Its European holdings include Renaissance and Baroque works by artists such as Botticelli, Canaletto and Van Dyck; the collection also includes 20th-century works by El Paso artist Tom Lea.
The museum was founded in 1959 to house a donation of European Renaissance and Baroque art from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Its location in Arts Festival Plaza puts it next to the Plaza Theatre, with San Jacinto Plaza nearby.
Arts Festival Plaza lies between the museum and the theatre, so you can combine a museum visit with time around this downtown public space.
For another museum visit focused on the border region, the El Paso Holocaust Museum is a separate downtown-area attraction.
How much time should you plan for the galleries?
EPMA estimates 45–60 minutes for a self-guided tour. That gives you a practical starting point for planning, though you can set your own pace through the collection.
Self-guided tours are available year-round Wednesday through Friday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. Guided tours are offered in English and Spanish. Amplifiers are not allowed in the galleries.
If you’re planning a fuller day in the area, Chamizal National Memorial offers a different perspective on the U.S.–Mexico border. Its outdoor setting and history make it distinct from the museum’s art collection; find practical details in this guide to Chamizal National Memorial.
What are the museum’s hours and admission?
Admission to El Paso Museum of Art is free. The museum is closed all major holidays.
Opening hours
- Wednesday to Saturday: 10:00–18:00
- Sunday: 11:00–15:00
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Hours and visitor arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go. That’s especially useful if your plans depend on a particular day or if you want to confirm current exhibitions; temporary exhibition details can change over time.
How do you get from Ciudad Juárez to El Paso Museum of Art?
The museum is about a 21-minute drive from Istay Hotel Ciudad Juarez. The trip crosses the international border, so allow for the crossing as part of your plans rather than treating the drive time as the full door-to-door journey.
The museum’s address is One Arts Festival Plaza, El Paso, Texas 79901. If you’re arranging an airport connection as part of the same trip, plan for the journey between El Paso International Airport and Ciudad Juárez.
Accessibility and visitor information
You can take personal, noncommercial photographs unless a work or gallery is marked as no-photography. Flash, tripods, monopods, gimbals and selfie sticks are not permitted.
For accommodation requests, permission requests or other visitor information, contact EPMA Visitor Services at EPMA-info@elpasotexas.gov. For questions about the museum, you can also call 915-212-0300.
FAQs
Is admission to El Paso Museum of Art free?
Yes. Admission is free.
How long does a self-guided visit take?
The museum estimates 45–60 minutes for a self-guided tour.
Which days is the museum open?
Open Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday. It is closed all major holidays; confirm details before your visit.
Can you take photos inside?
Personal, noncommercial photography is allowed unless a work or gallery is marked as no-photography. Flash and camera supports, including tripods and selfie sticks, are not permitted.