Grohmann Museum

Not your usual art museum! Most art museums' sculptures and paintings are focused on rich people, Jesus, politicans, royalty, and other elites, yuppies, and other selfish and awful people. The Grohmann's collection is focused on the working class, the poor, the tradesmen, the builders, the craftsmen, and skilled and educated workers of the upper class, but not the rich snobby elitists, or those whom were simply born into royalty, or a trust fund kid. All the art is very skillful and unique! And a great bargain at only $5.

The Grohmann Museum is a hidden gem. Super easy to get to, tickets won't break your pocketbook at $5 for adult! a lot of street parking and near downtown. This is part of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) rightfully the predominant theme revolves around "The Art of Work". Literally from ceiling to floors, art is all around you. Floor Mosaic, stained glass windows, ceiling murals, bronze sculptures and striking paintings. Many of the paintings depict actual historical events and places! There are 3 floors and an amazing sculpture garden on the rooftop. This museum was very well planned and laid out meticulously for all ages. Definitely we will be back to bring others to appreciate this fine example of Art at Work!

An amazing collection with a curated focus on people who work with their hands. I recommend visiting the roof top sculpture garden and then work your way down to each floor to take in the permanent collection. Stunning examples of oil on cardboard and subjects rarely portrayed such as, poets, potters, quacks, magicians and luthiers.

Statues sitting on the edge of the roof of this building in downtown Milwaukee? That is all I knew about this building for years. Someone recently pointed out that there was a museum in Milwaukee with a rooftop sculpture garden and I connected the dots.I've always thought that university museums and art galleries were intended for students and alumni. While that is probably the audience that visits the space the most (no statistics to back up my claim though, haha), the public is able to use the space too.$5 admission felt like a fair price to be able to explore 4 floors of art. Granted, I didn't spend too much time looking at the art on floors 1 through 3. I wanted to see the art on the roof and take in the views.I will need to go back as there was a private party on half of the roof during my visit - but from what I was able to see, was enough to appreciate the museum for what it was.Also, right when you walk into MSOE's Grohmann Museum, there is a tile display on the floor and then a painting at the top of the open spiral staircase to the top. That entry way alone is worth stopping in to see too.

This place is absolutely fantastic to visit. There is so much history, so much art, so much creativity, so much beauty, and so so many sculptures. The displays change on regular basis.... They have special events, interactive activities, and great presentations. Staff is wonderful and you will enjoy the rooftop sculpture garden.

I've developed an appreciation for small museums ironically through visiting them in other cities. In other words, I've lived in Milwaukee for 5 years and didn't even know this was here. Located on the MSOE campus, it's a museum of art depicting human work, from alchemy to farming to iron forging. Lots of German, Dutch, and even Milwaukeean artists are represented, among others.The subject matter might not seem like everyone's cup of tea, but I found it engaging enough to occupy 1 1/2-2 hours on a summer afternoon. There are a few video displays interspersed throughout the galleries as well as a few QR code links to videos featuring blacksmithing or glass blowing.On the day I visited it was quiet but I overheard a staff member say it gets louder when the students are around.Post-COVID I've been more into exploring my own city, and this is another thing I might never have found because I didn't know to look for it. Worth checking out.

An art museum with a definative purpose* I enjoy looking at art, but more importantly, I enjoy looking at art that I can appreciate, which also has a purpose. Grohman checked both boxes.Here you'll see a fascinating look at the art of work. And also works of art. Wait, what? Yeah..Grohman's focus is on artwork that captures the toils of men and women from making metal to baling hay to shipworkers, etc. The art here spans 500 years of work and explicitely covers 100's of different topics. 100's of works including paintings, sculpture, glasswork, etc. Multiple floors and the best yet, a rooftop garden of large sculptures that makes this place a super cool spot to visit. Even if you aren't a big art fan I think most would enjoy and appreciate what Grohman has to offer. Cheers.

Our twin daughters went to MSOE. Very cool that this is right there. It looks awesome from the inside and out. I love that the men move on top of the building. Thank you!

Surprising! Wow! To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from this museum because its focus is on art related to work. What I found was a real treat. They have a large collection of sculpture, an large collection of paintings from a wide range of eras, and so many pieces that are so intricate that you can easily spend a hour or more to work your way through the collection. I will include a few pieces in the photos so you can see the detail in many of the paintings. I absolutely enjoyed my visit and would highly recommend it to you. (It is only $5 for adults and is very much worth it.)The main desk recommended starting at the top of the building, their outdoor sculpture garden, and working your way down. It is a good idea to do so. The main floor focuses on art with an industrial subject. It is very interesting, but my favorite are the upper floors where humans at work are the focus. The people who gathered this collection had a very good eye and did an excellent job of choosing pieces that draw you in because of their relatability.

Way cool! From the inside to the rooftop sculptures! Interesting paintings! Lovely stained glass!