Reviewers frequently praise the museum's architecture, helpful staff, and gift shop, though they note the absence of a permanent collection requires checking current exhibits before visiting. A recurring criticism involves the inclusion of AI-generated works in recent shows, which some visitors found disappointing relative to the admission cost. Additionally, several reviews mention that the on-site café is expensive, suggesting visitors eat beforehand.
Google rating: 4.6 out of 5 from 4,807 reviews (74% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 4,807 Google reviews (2,487 with written comments, 640 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 3% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 20, 2026.
Service: Art Gallery serving Gallatin, Tennessee.
Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.
Photos
Customer reviews
4.6
★★★★★
4,807 reviews on Google
5★3,570
4★810
3★230
2★99
1★98
Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).
KH
Kevin HollenbeckLocal Guide · 15 reviews
★★★★★
Not an art museum. Most of the exhibits are AI. If you're into modern 'expression' you might like this. If you are into traditional art, save your money.
Response from the owner · a week ago
Kevin, thank you for providing this feedback. Our goal is to provide the best experience possible for all guests. Our exhibitions change throughout the year, and we hope you’ll revisit us in the future. To see the latest updates of what current exhibits you can expect to see, visit our website, FristArtMuseum.org.
The Frist is such an incredible supporter of our local community and truly gives back to the community. They donated an incredibly generous set of tickets to the Sexual Assault Center’s Mad Hatter auction which helped survivors in Middle TN get the help they needed.
It means so much to have them support causes important to our community and I highly recommend them to anyone knowing they truly support our community.
Response from the owner · a week ago
Christopher, thank you for your kind words and continued support!
Not sure how you can call yourself an art museum when you have only a five minute exhibit full of just TVs and projectors playing AI art, but this place has done it! Absolute waste of time and money. Almost no real art, and half of it was closed! A lot of art museums that are better are free, so charging admission for this is an absolute rip-off. Honestly terrible.
If I could leave 0 stars I would. This museum only cost $10 but had I known I’d be subjected to AI slop I would have never paid this museum anything. To add insult to injury, the AI exhibits were next to all the pieces about climate change. How out of touch can you be? Absolute garbage. Would never go back. Would never recommend. If I want to see AI slop I will stay home and look at middle-age women make AI pictures of themselves in the 80s and save my $10.
Visited on: Weekend
Wait time: No wait
Reservation recommended: No
Response from the owner · a week ago
Jolee, we are sorry to hear you had a negative experience during your visit. Every year we show a wide range of exhibitions. We understand that not every show is for everyone. We do hope you will check out the list of artists in Shimmer on our site and look into their work. You’ll find that they are working with a wide range of mediums—analog and digital—and have diverse viewpoints. Many of them are addressing the big questions and concerns about technology that we’re all thinking about. Some did use generative technologies and AI as a tool to create larger works, but Shimmer cannot be characterized as a pro AI exhibition. You can learn more here:
https://fristartmuseum.org/exhibition/shimmer-dreaming-the-posthuman/
https://fristartmuseum.org/article/frist-art-museum-presents-shimmer-press-release/
And read a Q&A with the exhibition curator here:
https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts_culture/visualart/mark-scala-shimmer-interview/article_2534ce19-456b-4d9d-aa43-0c4c0ab4814a.html
Has quite a lot of AI-based art in their current exhibit
Response from the owner · a week ago
Brenden, thank you for providing this feedback. Our goal is to provide the best experience possible for all guests. Our exhibitions change throughout the year, and we hope you’ll revisit us in the future.
Rebecca, thank you so much for the great review and photos! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed our current exhibitions, and we hope you will visit us again soon.
Not sure why this place is hosting a bunch of AI "art" in their exhibits.
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
Every year we show a wide range of exhibitions. We understand that not every show is for everyone. We do hope you will check out the list of artists in Shimmer on our site and look into their work. You’ll find that they are working with a wide range of mediums—analog and digital—and have diverse viewpoints. Many of them are addressing the big questions and concerns about technology that we’re all thinking about. Some did use generative technologies and AI as a tool to create larger works, but Shimmer cannot be characterized as a pro AI exhibition. You can learn more here:
https://fristartmuseum.org/exhibition/shimmer-dreaming-the-posthuman/
https://fristartmuseum.org/article/frist-art-museum-presents-shimmer-press-release/
And read a Q&A with the exhibition curator here:
https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts_culture/visualart/mark-scala-shimmer-interview/article_2534ce19-456b-4d9d-aa43-0c4c0ab4814a.html
Il Frist Art Museum è un museo molto particolare, ospitato in un bellissimo edificio storico nel centro di Nashville. La sua caratteristica principale è quella di non avere una collezione permanente, ma di proporre esposizioni temporanee che si rinnovano periodicamente.
Durante la mia visita ho avuto modo di vedere alcune delle nuove esposizioni di arte contemporanea. Devo ammettere che non è stato semplice comprenderle: alcune opere mi sono sembrate particolarmente astratte, altre difficili da interpretare, e spesso ho faticato a cogliere il messaggio che gli artisti volevano trasmettere.
Probabilmente è proprio questo uno degli obiettivi dell’arte contemporanea: incuriosire, provocare e lasciare spazio all’interpretazione personale. Tuttavia, avrei apprezzato spiegazioni più immediate e accessibili, capaci di accompagnare anche un visitatore che non possiede conoscenze approfondite in materia.
Ho trovato comunque interessante il concetto di un museo in continua trasformazione, nel quale ogni visita può offrire un’esperienza completamente diversa.
Un museo che merita di essere visitato, soprattutto dagli appassionati di arte contemporanea. Personalmente, pur avendo apprezzato l’esperienza, alcune esposizioni mi hanno lasciato più interrogativi che emozioni.
Visited on: Weekday
Wait time: No wait
Reservation recommended: No
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
We are so grateful you took the time to write us such a positive review and share so many wonderful photos. Our exhibitions change throughout the year, and we hope you’ll revisit us in the future. To see the latest updates of what current exhibits you can expect to see, visit our website, FristArtMuseum.org. Thanks again!
