Museum

John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art

Thank you for your continued support of the Lilley. The museum’s exhibits are currently closed to the public as we observe the University’s decision to suspend non-essential operations and services for at least 30 days.

Visit the Museum

The John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art (The Lilley) supports campus, regional and global viewers in an exploration of today's world through intellectual and creative inquiry. This mission is informed by values articulated by the department and The Lilley board of advisors who believe that our human community stands to gain from the development of cognitive, behavioral and affective arts learning that leads to informed and intentioned living. Committed to extend the excellence of the University of Nevada, Reno, The Lilley collects, conserves, exhibits and shares art research with the understanding that both our cultural heritage and our future belong to the publics we serve.

The Lilley offers regularly scheduled programming and events co-hosted with other campus departments and local organizations. Exhibitions rotate frequently.

On most Thursday nights, lectures, workshops, demonstrations, screenings, studio visits and more are all part of the museum's programming accompanying each exhibition. Saturday receptions and special education events are also a highlight of each exhibition season.

Because great universities have great museums, The Lilley is a member of the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries.

Elderly woman paints on easle as younger woman looks over

Art Partners

Art Partners is a collaborative program with the Sanford Center for Aging that promotes intergenerational exchange between Northern Nevada community elders and arts enthusiasts of any age. Art Partners pairs volunteers with elders who experience barriers to full arts participation in order to nurture deeper relationships between individuals of diverse cultural experiences, knowledge sets and perspectives.

Current Exhibitions and Events

Apr 07
All Day Arts Closed - Shane Pickett: Djinong Djina Boodja | Look at the Land I have Travelled at University Arts Building
Apr 07
All Day Arts Closed - To Have and To Hold: Nevada's Art Collection at University Arts Building
Apr 07
12:00 PM Arts Canceled - Teal Francis MFA Thesis Exhibition: Yellow Spotted Tail at Jot Travis Building
Apr 09
05:00 PM Arts Canceled - Teal Francis MFA Thesis Artist Talk and Reception at Jot Travis Building
Full Events Calendar

Permanent Collection

Painting of old building in desert with mountains in the background

Works of art from the permanent collection are on display on a rotational basis in the second floor collection galleries. Additional works are viewable through the visible storage window and can be placed for viewing with advance notice. The works on the paper study room is open by appointment with specific research requests.

The John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art permanent collection represents an impressive, decades-old collecting program that is noteworthy for its early attention to regional painters including Jim McCormick, Craig Sheppard, Sheldon Pennoyer, Hans Meyer Kassel, Louis Siegriest and Maynard Dixon. In addition to its collection of 19th and 20th century paintings, the collection is exceptionally strong in old master and modern prints and drawings, Chinese art, textiles and works of art by Native American artists.

Emeritus professor, Ed Martinez, organized the collection of a number of print portfolios from major international printmakers to supplement a deep and diverse print collection that also includes examples of rare Japanese wood block prints, a who's who of contemporary printmakers and master prints dating as far back as the 16th century. African sculpture, marquetry furniture, glass and ceramic sculpture round out a broad teaching collection that represents the universal emphasis of this land-grant institution's mission.

The Lilley recently completed a three-year program of re-cataloguing the collection in addition to beginning a conservation program. Meeting the needs of the current collection, as well as planning for growth is enabled in part with the support of gifts to the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation. To support the effort, please visit the College of Liberals Arts donation page.

Sponsors

Museum programming is sponsored by the following organizations: Nevada Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Nevada Humanities, Associated Students of the University of Nevada and the Graduate Student Association of the University of Nevada, Reno.