— Best Art Museum
- And the winner is...
- Speed Art Museum
The Basics
Opened: 1927
Neighborhood: U of L’s campus
Self-description: “We invite everyone to celebrate art, forever.”
Website: speedmuseum.orgBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 11
Total wins: 5
First nomination: 1986, the inaugural Best of Louisville, Best Tourist Attraction
First win: 1993, Best Art Gallery
Also won: 2016, Best Gift to the City for free-admission Owsley SundaysThe Voting Academy Says
“The biggest fish of art destinations in the state.”
- And the other nominees are...
- 21c Museum Hotel
The Basics
Opened: 2006
Neighborhood: Downtown
Self-description: “The world’s first museum hotel.”
Website: 21cBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 7
Total wins: 5
First nomination: 2006, Best Building Architecture (won by the Humana Tower)
First wins: 2009, Best Downtown Art Gallery, Best Hotel
Also won: 2014, Best Tourist Attraction (tie with the Frazier History Museum)The Voting Academy Says
“A must when out-of-town guests visit.”
- Frazier History Museum
The Basics
Opened: 2004 (originally called the Frazier Historical Arms Museum)
Neighborhood: Downtown
Self-description: “Where the world meets Kentucky.”
Website: fraziermuseum.orgBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 5
Total wins: 4
Past wins: 2013 and 2014, Best Museum; 2014, Best Tourist Attraction (tie with 21c)The Voting Academy Says
“Historic things with a fresh perspective.”
- KMAC Contemporary Art Museum
The Basics
Founded: 1981 (relocated to downtown building in 2001)
Neighborhood: Downtown
Self-description: “Connecting people to art and creative practice.”
Website: kmacmuseum.orgBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 9
First nomination: 1993, Best Art GalleryThe Voting Academy Says
“I LOVE the KMAC Couture fashion show.”
- Roots 101 African-American Museum
The Basics
Opened: 2020
Neighborhood: Downtown
Self-description: “A place where visitors can see themselves in history, explore the African American story in its entirety and gain a greater understanding of the achievements, cultural contributions and experiences of our community.”
Website: roots-101.orgBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 1
The Voting Academy Says
“When I travel, I always go looking for the African American museum in any city. It was shocking that Louisville did not have one, but, thankfully, Lamont Collins founded this one in 2020. It is not just a place to learn about African American history. It has become a place for events, gatherings, community conversations. It has gotten deserved national attention.”