The art museum on the University of Utah campus, with sensory bags (noise reduction headphones, communication cards, light reduction glasses, fidget and relaxation toys) to check out at the welcome desk, a social story in English and Spanish, and free admission for everyone on the first Wednesday and third Saturday of the month.
“Sensory bags are available for check out at the welcome desk. These bags include noise reduction headphones, communication cards, light reduction glasses, fidget/relaxation toys, and other tools to make the museum more accessible.”
“Please be aware that some artwork in the UMFA may have flashing lights or percussive sounds. Contact the welcome desk for information about current artworks on display.”
“We welcome students and families with children and adults on the autism spectrum. To help prepare for your visit, download the Social Story about what to expect while visiting the Museum.”
The social story for general visitors comes in English and Spanish, with separate versions for field trips. It shows the Welcome Desk, the lockers, the galleries and what museum staff wear.
The museum's social story says you can rest on benches or in rest areas in the corners of the building, and the Trailhead, Basecamp and Lookout conversation areas have comfy seating. You can also step outside; keep your receipt to show at the Welcome Desk when you're ready to go back in.
Some artwork with flashing lights or percussive sounds (ask the welcome desk which artworks are on display)not stated
Quieter, in the museum's words
Benches and rest areas in the corners of the museum buildingquiet zone
Admission: adults $19.95; seniors 65+ and youth 6 to 18 $16.95; ages 0 to 5 free. Free with ID for UMFA members, University of Utah students, staff and faculty, and students at public Utah universities and colleges. Buying online ahead sends your tickets by email.
Other free routes: Museums for All (a Utah Horizon, EBT or WIC card with a valid photo ID, up to four visitors); Blue Star Museums (active-duty military and families with military ID, up to 6 visitors); Bank of America Museums on Us (one free general admission for the cardholder on the first full weekend of each month); and NARM reciprocal members, at the Welcome Desk.
Third Saturday for Families: a family art-making activity every third Saturday, 1 to 4 pm, on a free admission day. Free family backpacks with hands-on activities, for ages 4 to 12, can be checked out at the welcome desk with admission.
Museum Manners: backpacks, large bags and umbrellas are checked at the welcome desk or placed in free lockers; no food, drink or gum in the galleries; look but don't touch; pencils only; and the museum asks visitors to walk and use respectful voices in the galleries. No flash photography, including phone flashes.
Getting around: a wheelchair is available at the welcome desk, and all galleries are wheelchair and stroller accessible, with two public elevators (in the lobby and the southeast corner). Single gender-neutral restrooms are on the first floor by the temporary exhibitions gallery and on the second floor by the global contemporary art gallery; changing stations are in the first floor restrooms near the Museum Café and by the Education Center, and the second floor restroom near the global contemporary art gallery.
Parking: free parking is in the stalls labeled “UMFA Visitor Parking” in the lot east of the museum; register your license plate number at the welcome desk to avoid a citation. If those are full, use the University pay lot to the north (Mobile Pay). Campus parking is free on weekends except reserved stalls, but parking may be limited on fall Saturdays with University of Utah football games at Rice-Eccles Stadium. TRAX: a five-minute walk from the University South Campus stop on the Red line.
Holiday Market 2026: December 5 and 6, 2026, 9 am to 5 pm, with local makers, free shopping and live music all day.
Call
801.581.7332Welcome desk and Visitor Services801.585.7163Accessibility coordinator (tours, interpretation, service animals)
