Mission

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Located in Bentonville, Arkansas, the museum opened in November 2011 and welcomes 800,000 annual visitors. General admission is sponsored by Walmart, so there is no cost to view our collection galleries. As a nonprofit organization, the museum is governed by a board of directors that sets the framework for the organization and ensures proper financial management, program and service outcomes, and human resources practices. The museum’s annual operating budget is $32 million (2023), and it has more than 350 employees. Located on 120 acres, Crystal Bridges takes its name from a nearby natural spring and the bridge construction incorporated into the building, designed by architect Moshe Safdie. A series of pavilions nestled around two spring-fed ponds house galleries, meeting and classroom spaces, and a large, glass-enclosed gathering hall. Guest amenities include sculpture and walking trails, a restaurant, museum store, and a library featuring more than 50,000 volumes of art reference material. As Crystal Bridges, we recognize our role as settlers and guests in the Northwest Arkansas region. We acknowledge the Caddo, Quapaw, and Osage as well as the many Indigenous caretakers of this land and water. We are conscious of museums’ role in colonization, and we intentionally hold ourselves accountable to appropriate conversation, representation, connection, and education to facilitate a space of measurable change. Crystal Bridges established its first full time position for a Curator of Native American Art in 2022. In 2026, Crystal Bridges will open expanded gallery spaces with specific focus on our two newest subject areas—Native American Art and Craft.