NIU Art Museum

09/23/2026

Join us Thursday, Sept. 24 for our Olmec Heads Experience Grand Opening Celebration!

This fall, the NIU Art Museum is presenting one of the most distinctive exhibitions ever hosted on our campus: The Olmec Heads Experience. The exhibition features twenty-five monumental, artist-designed sculptures inspired by the ancient Olmec civilization. The exhibition is open in the Art Museum South Gallery, and will run throughout the fall semester.

Visitors will discover colorful sculptures across campus while exploring an accompanying museum exhibition featuring educational displays, family activities, and an engaging graphic history of the Olmec civilization.

Be among the first to experience this remarkable exhibition by joining us for a Friends Preview and Grand Opening Celebration, Thursday, September 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Not only will you see The Olmec Heads Experience exhibition, but you’ll also be able to visit Celebrating 40 | Burma Art Collection, a retrospective of works from the NIU Center for Burma Studies’ extensive collection.

09/15/2026

If you thought 13 Olmec heads being displayed outdoors on our beautiful campus was good, how about 16? Three more have appeared on the quad between Davis Hall and Lowden Hall. For instance, meet Echoes of Identity by Flavio Lopez. You can find an interactive map of where all of the heads are (and some other cool artwork around campus) by following the link to the map at go.niu.edu/olmec

09/11/2026

Today's featured Olmec Head is on display in front of the main entrance to Founders Memorial Library. "Traditional and Color" by Dailia Marina Gonzalez Garcia of Tiaxcala. View a map of all of the heads installed outdoors on the NIU campus, and get information about the exhibition in the Art Museum which opens September 16 at go.niu.edu/olmec

09/08/2026

Today's featured Olmec Head is one of four located near the main entrance to Founders Memorial Library. "Xi Wey" by Pablo Helm-Hernandez of Minneapolis. This is one of 13 Olmec Head sculptures located outdoors on campus. Twelve more will be featured in the Art Museum beginning September 16. go.niu.edu/olmec

09/03/2026

"Fuerza Regia" created by Miguel Angel Bravo Garica of Tlexcala, Mexico is another of 13 Olmec Heads currently on display on our campus. This head is located in front of Davis Hall. These heads are part of an exhibition that opens in the NIU Art Museum, Wednesday, September 16, and is free of charge. Learn more at go.niu.edu/olmec

09/02/2026

"Fuerza Mexica Jr." created by Jose Manuel Jacobo Torrecilla of Mexico City, Mexico is one of 13 Olmec Heads currently standing guard on the NIU campus. This head is located just to the east of Davis Hall overseeing the open space between the building and the lagoon. These heads are part of an exhibition that opens in the NIU Art Museum, Wednesday, September 16, and is free of charge. Learn more at go.niu.edu/olmec

08/28/2026

Make plans to check out the new exhibitions coming to the NIU Art Museum opening on September 16. The Center for Burma Studies is presenting Celebrating 40: Burma Art Collection, and a second exhibit can already be previewed with a walk around campus. Check out The Olmec Heads Experience.

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04/01/2026

Supoort the NIU Campus Beautification Fund during the Day of Giving!

The Campus Beautification Fund helps maintain and preserve our campus landmarks and public artwork.

Last year, through the generosity of our donors, we were able to refresh the finish on the “La Baron” sculpture by Alexander Calder for its 60th birthday and also send the “Ventis Ingenium” sculpture by Evan Lewis back to the artist for some needed repairs. We expect the fully conserved sculpture to be returned and reinstalled in May. This year, we hope to continue to address several needed repairs and maintenance issues including the conservation of Terry Karpowicz’s 1990 sculpture, “Pyramus and Thisbe Rising over the Snowy Peaks” on the east side of Stevens, and the lighting of Bruce White’s 1998 Sculpture, “X-cess” on the west side of the Engineering Building .

The annual Huskies United day of giving runs today, April 1 and tomorrow from noon-to-noon CDT. This is one of the few opportunities we have to raise needed capital for the Campus Beautification Fund. Your gift helps preserve and restore these cherished works so they can continue inspiring future generations of Huskies. As an added incentive, this year, your gift of $25 or more will go a lot further. We have a challenge from an anonymous alum. Once 25 donations of $25 or more are received, a $1000 bonus will be unlocked!

In addition, donors who give at least $25 to any fund (including Campus Beautification) will receive a pair of custom NIU socks. Donors who give at least $50 will get both pairs.

Visit the Huskies United site at https://dog.niu.edu

03/25/2026

01/22/2026

Due to forecasted severe weather, the Art Museum Galleries will be closed Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24. They will reopen as scheduled on Wednesday, January 28.