Durham, NC

Nasher Museum of Art
This new structure encompasses 65,000 square-feet comprised of five pavilions that house three large gallery spaces, a 173-seat auditorium, museum shop, classrooms, administrative offices and a café; one of the three gallery spaces will display work from the museum’s permanent collection, organized in thematic exhibitions to complement coursework and reflect the scholarly interests of Duke faculty; the two other gallery pavilions will host a rotating schedule of traveling exhibitions; highlights of the museum’s permanent collection of approximately 13,000 works of art include the Brummer Collection of Medieval and Renaissance Art, the George Harley Memorial Collection of African Art, a classical collection and more than 3,000 works of art of the ancient Americas; one of the most highly anticipated exhibitions for African Americans is “Something All Our Own” the Grant Hill Collection of African American Art; the exhibition includes collages, paintings, prints and mixed media works by artists such as Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, John Biggers, Malcolm Brown, Phoebe Beasley and John Coleman from the personal collection of Duke Alumnus and NBA basketball star Grant Hill; Duke University; 919-684-6659; http://www.nasher.duke.edu

Raleigh, NC

North Carolina Museum of Art
Among the permanent exhibits you can find Egyptian art and an impressive collection of African American art; Tue-Thu, Sat 9a-5p; Fri 9a-9p; Sun 11a-6p; modest admission fee; 2110 Blue Ridge Road; 919-839-6262; http://www.ncartmuseum.org

North Carolina Museum of History
A folklife exhibit, the Wright Brothers aviation exhibit and so many more NC history exhibits about make place to spend time; underground parking fee, but free admission; Tue-Sat 9a-5p; Sun 12-5p; FREE admission; 5 East Edenton Street across from the Capital downtown; 919-715-0200; http://ncmuseumofhistory.org

Artspace
Creative space for 30 artists working in open-to-the-public studios; exhibitions and arts talks, including lectures, demonstrations and classes; Tue-Sat 10a-6p; First Friday of each month 10a-10p; FREE admission; 201 East Davie Street; 919-821-2787; http://www.artspacenc.org

Contemporary Art Museum
A "museum without walls" and under renovation, the museum continues to organize exhibitions for modern art and educational programs and classes; call for hours; 409 West Martin Street, 919-836-0088; http://www.camnc.org