Visit
To purchase tickets, patrons may visit the museum in-person during our public hours, call the museum at (508) 961-3072 to reserve over the phone, or by purchasing an advanced ticket.
Hours
Thursday – Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Closed Monday – Wednesday
Admission
New Bedford Art Museum is always free for Members, and membership begins at just $35 annually.
Not a Museum Member? Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
New Bedford Art Museum is proud to be a North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM)*. We also participate in the Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture* program, the most comprehensive effort of its kind in the nation to open doors to arts and cultural experiences for low-income families. We offer free admission to EBT cardholders through Museums for All*, a national access program, that encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.
*Cardholders and their families receive free admission (2 adults and 3 children). The card must be presented at the time of admission.
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card*
Massachusetts Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Card*
ConnectorCare Health Plan Insurance Cards*
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Museum offers free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families through Blue Star Museums*.
From Providence and points West:
Follow I-195 East into Massachusetts to Exit 26 (old Exit 15), “Rte. 18 Downtown.” At the second set of lights turn right onto Union Street. At the third set of lights turn right onto Pleasant Street. The Museum is one block up on the right.
From Cape Cod and points East:
Follow I-195 West to Exit 26 (old Exit 15), “Rte. 18 Downtown.” At the second set of lights turn right onto Union Street. At the third set of lights turn right onto Pleasant Street. The Museum is one block up on the right.
From Boston and points North:
Follow Rt. 24 South to Exit 17 (old Exit 12), “Rt. 140, New Bedford.” [Depending on your area of departure you may choose I-93 South to Rt. 24; or, I-95 South to I-93 to Rt. 24; or, I-495 South to Rt. 24.] Follow Rt. 140 to Exit 2A (old Exit 2) (second ramp), “I-195 East, Cape Cod.” Follow I-195 East about 1 mile to Exit 26 (Old Exit 15), “Rte. 18 Downtown.” At the second set of lights turn right onto Union Street. At the third set of lights turn right onto Pleasant Street. The Museum is one block up on the right.
Public Transportation:
The LOOP Bus: Traveling between the main campus (Dartmouth) and the Star Store arts campus (two blocks from Museum) is easy when you ride the Loop bus. The Loop bus runs during the academic year. There is no service during winter break, spring break, or summer. Click here for The LOOP Bus Schedule.
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA ):
The Museum is located one block from SRTA main bus terminal (134 Elm Street New Bedford, MA 02740). Click here for more information on route schedules.
FAQs & Planning Your Visit
New Bedford Art Museum asks for your partnership in the following courtesy code during your next visit:
- Masking is now optional. We encourage unvaccinated folks to still wear masks/face coverings to protect themselves and others. We will continue to have free masks available at our visitor services desk.
- Please do not bring large bags, food, or beverages.
- In order to keep our staff and patrons safe, we reserve the right to ask you to leave if you become ill during your visit.
- If you or a member of your party has or has had cold or flu-like symptoms, do not visit the Art Museum until after everyone is well and has completed a medically recommended quarantine period.
Thank you for your collaborations in our efforts to preserve a safe and welcoming environment at NBAM.
WHERE CAN I PARK?
New Bedford Art Museum does not have public parking.
Paid parking garages are just blocks away from NBAM, on Elm and Purchase streets. The Elm Street garage is located at 51 Elm Street and the Zeiterion garage is located at 684 Purchase Street, both locations are $3 per hour.
On-street, city parking is $0.75 per hour. It is free all day Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors that display a valid Handicap Placard at a metered space downtown will be exempt from parking meter fees (or) feeding the meter.
The Elm Street and Zeiterion Garages also provide Handicap accessible parking spaces; rates are $2/hr or $12/day.
QUESTIONS?
For additional questions or concerns, please call us at (508) 961-3072 or email us at info@ newbedfordart.org.
School & Adult Group Visits
YOUTH AND SCHOOL GROUPS
Gallery lessons can be scheduled for school groups grades pre-K to 12. They must be booked at least two weeks in advance. One adult chaperone for every five students is required.
When: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00-3:00
Duration: 30-60 minutes depending on age.
Fee: Free
Maximum group size: 30 (including chaperones)
Group Tours - all ages, organizations
ADULT GROUPS
Adult group tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
When: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00-3:00
Duration: 60 minutes
Fee: $50 tour fee plus $8 admission per adult; $5 admission per senior
Maximum group size: 30
For more information or to book a gallery lesson or group tour, email tsomerson@newbedfordart.
Payments and Cancellations
PAYMENT
Payment is required before the day of your visit. After submitting your registration, you will be contacted about payment.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
For a full refund, cancellations must be submitted at a minimum of 24 hours of your visit by emailing [email protected] Cancellations submitted less than 24 hours and no-shows will not be refunded.
The New Bedford Art Museum is committed to making its facilities, programs, and services accessible to all audiences. We're actively serving our diverse audiences' needs through participation in programs such as the Massachusetts Cultural Council's UP-ILN initiative.
Visitors who display a valid Handicap Placard at a metered space downtown will be exempt from parking meter fees (or) feeding the meter.
