Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala
The Appleton Museum of Art at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. holds more than 24,000 objects, from 17th-century European painting to Warhol, inside an Italian travertine building on the College of Central Florida campus. Adult admission is $10, and the museum is free to everyone on the first Saturday of each month.
Location
4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd.
Ocala, FL 34470
Hours
Tue-Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sun: Noon-5 p.m.
Closed Mondays
Admission
Adults $10, seniors $8, youth 6-17 $5, children 5 and under free. Free First Saturday monthly.
Contact
(352) 291-4455
AppletonMuseum@cf.edu
Hours and Admission at the Appleton Museum of Art
Hours
The Appleton Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed every Monday and on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Appleton Store on the first floor keeps the same hours and can be visited without paying admission.
Getting There
The museum sits on State Road 40 (East Silver Springs Boulevard) east of downtown Ocala and a short drive west of Silver Springs State Park. It shares the Appleton Cultural Center grounds with the Ocala Civic Theatre, so a matinee and a gallery visit can be paired in one afternoon.
General Admission
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $10 |
| Seniors (ages 55+) | $8 |
| Youth (ages 6-17) | $5 |
| Children 5 and under | Free |
| University students (with ID) | $8 |
| Educators (with ID) | $8 |
| AAA members (with current card) | $8 |
| Appleton members | Free |
| NARM and SERM reciprocal members | Free |
| CF students, faculty and staff (with ID) | Free |
| U.S. veterans (with ID) | Free |
| Florida educators, first responders and healthcare professionals (with ID) | Free |
| Appleton Store only | Free |
Prices published by the museum at appletonmuseum.org; verified Oct. 11, 2026.
Is the Appleton Museum free?
Not every day. General admission to the Appleton Museum of Art is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 55 and over, $5 for youth ages 6 to 17, and free for children 5 and under. Admission is free for everyone on Free First Saturday, the first Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free First Saturday
On the first Saturday of every month the Appleton Museum of Art waives admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free day covers the permanent collection, the special exhibitions on view and the hands-on ArtSpace at the Appleton Museum. The program is supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union. Most months add extra programming; the November 7, 2026 date, for example, pairs the free galleries with film screenings in the auditorium at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and food vendors on the grounds.
When
First Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission
Free for all visitors; no reservation required
What is included
Permanent collection, special exhibitions and ArtSpace
Free First Saturday is one of the most reliable free events in Ocala. The museum posts each month's add-on programming on its events calendar at appletonmuseum.org.
A Legacy of Art and Education
The Appleton Museum of Art grew out of the collection of Arthur I. Appleton, an Illinois-born electronics industrialist who held more than 160 patents and who, with his family, owned Bridlewood Farm, a thoroughbred operation in Marion County. The Appletons wanted to share their art collection with the public. The City of Ocala donated 44 acres for the museum in 1984, and the building, designed by Tampa architect Dwight Holmes, opened in 1987.
The 81,610-square-foot museum is clad in Italian travertine marble and won the American Institute of Architects Florida Award for Excellence. About 30,000 square feet of gallery space is devoted to the permanent collections, and the Edith-Marie Appleton Wing added a two-story gallery. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, first in 2013 and again in 2023, a distinction held by fewer than 10 percent of museums in the United States.
Today the Appleton is one of six College of Central Florida campuses. CF students, faculty and staff enter free, and the museum doubles as a teaching institution with studio art classes, workshops and school tours alongside its exhibitions. It anchors the museums of Ocala.
Museum Highlights
- •More than 24,000 objects in the permanent collection, plus outdoor sculpture
- •Opened in 1987 on 44 acres donated by the City of Ocala
- •81,610-square-foot Italian travertine building by architect Dwight Holmes
- •Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (2013, reaccredited 2023)
- •One of six College of Central Florida campuses
World-Class Collections
The museum organizes its permanent collection into ten areas. Together they span more than 3,000 years, from Pre-Columbian objects and 3,000-year-old equine artifacts to Andy Warhol. Non-flash photography is permitted in all permanent collection galleries.
European
Painting, sculpture and decorative arts from the 17th through 19th centuries, with a strong showing from France and Italy.
Asian
Works from China, India, Japan, Tibet and Southeast Asia, including Buddhist art.
African
Drawn largely from the collection of the late Dr. Victor David DuBois (1932-1983).
Pre-Columbian
Objects from Mexico, Central America and South America.
Equine
Horse-related art from around the world spanning more than 3,000 years, fitting for Marion County horse country.
Maritime
19th- and 20th-century paintings and model ships depicting historic sailing vessels.
Modern and Contemporary
Paintings, sculpture, photography and drawings from the 1950s to today, including Andy Warhol and Robert Gordy.
Design and Art Deco
More than 1,000 early 20th-century works covering fine and decorative arts, architecture, fashion and jewelry.
Florida Artists
Works by Florida artists, built with donor and endowment support.
Ernst Oppler
A dedicated collection of works by the artist Ernst Oppler.
Special Exhibitions & Events
Rotating Exhibitions
Special exhibitions rotate throughout the year, ranging from traveling shows to thematic selections drawn from the permanent collection. Photography rules for special exhibitions vary by show, so visitors should check with Visitor Services before shooting.
The current exhibition schedule, opening receptions and artist talks are listed on the museum's events calendar at appletonmuseum.org. Exhibitions are included with general admission and are free on Free First Saturday.
Educational Programs
As a College of Central Florida campus, the Appleton runs studio art classes, workshops and youth programs year-round. Guided school and group tours are led by a trained educator or staff member and last about 45 minutes.
The museum also hosts film screenings in its auditorium, Founder's Week programming and seasonal events such as holiday exhibitions, many of which are folded into Free First Saturday.
In the news: the museum's Summer Art Camp for ages 5 to 17 earned the Florida Association of Museums 2026 Museum Excellence Award for Education.
ArtSpace, Group Visits and Guided Tours
ArtSpace Makerspace
The ArtSpace at the Appleton Museum is a hands-on makerspace for children and adults. Visitors can assemble a magnetic mosaic, build with LEGO bricks or draw a self-portrait. ArtSpace is free for Appleton members and included with museum admission for everyone else, and it keeps the museum's regular hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. All ages are welcome.
For families, ArtSpace is the reason the Appleton works as a kids' outing in Ocala and not only an adult gallery visit.
Group Visits
Groups of 15 or more qualify for group rates: adults $8, seniors 55 and over $6, educators and university students with ID $5, youth K-12 $3, pre-K and bus drivers free, and Appleton members free. Smaller groups pay regular admission.
Reservations should be made at least one month in advance by emailing AppletonMuseum@cf.edu with two possible dates. Payment is made in person on the day of the tour, and K-3 school groups are capped at 30 students.
Planning a Visit: Accessibility, Store and Policies
Accessibility
- ✓Accessible parking spaces, first come first served, for vehicles with a valid disability placard or plate
- ✓Free wheelchair rental in the lobby; wheelchairs and scooters are accommodated throughout
- ✓Elevator to the second-floor galleries just right of the main lobby
- ✓Free sensory kits (ages 6 months and up) and EnChroma color-blindness glasses (ages 3 and up) checked out with a photo ID
- ✓Trained service animals welcome; emotional support animals are not permitted
- ✓Quiet Visits outside public hours and ASL interpretation, each scheduled at least one month ahead through AppletonEducation@cf.edu or AppletonMuseum@cf.edu
Appleton Store and Visitor Policies
The Appleton Store is on the first floor and is open during regular museum hours. It carries jewelry, apparel, art and design books, art supplies and crafting kits, and no admission is charged to shop.
The museum has no restaurant; food and drink are permitted only in designated areas. Purses, parcels, briefcases and backpacks larger than 11 by 15 inches, as well as umbrellas, must be checked at Visitor Services.
Non-flash photography is allowed in the permanent collection galleries, outdoor spaces and public areas. Commercial photography and video must be arranged in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Appleton Museum free?
▼
What are the Appleton Museum of Art hours?
▼
How much does the Appleton Museum cost?
▼
Where is the Appleton Museum of Art located?
▼
What is Free First Saturday at the Appleton Museum?
▼
Is the Appleton Museum good for kids?
▼
What is in the Appleton Museum collection?
▼
Does the Appleton Museum have a restaurant?
▼
Explore More Ocala Attractions
ArtSpace at Appleton Museum
The hands-on makerspace inside the museum, included with admission and free on First Saturdays.
Explore →Museums in Ocala
The Appleton alongside the Silver River Museum, Ocala Discovery Center and other Marion County museums.
Discover →Free Events in Ocala
Free activities and events throughout Marion County, including Free First Saturday at the Appleton.
Discover →Ocala First Friday Art Walk
Downtown Ocala's monthly art walk, the week before Free First Saturday at the museum.
Learn More →Things to Do in Ocala
The complete guide to attractions, activities and entertainment in Ocala and Marion County.
Explore →Kids in Ocala
Family-friendly activities, attractions and events for children and families in Marion County.
View Guide →Plan a Visit to the Appleton Museum of Art
4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Call (352) 291-4455 for current exhibitions.
Appleton Museum of Art en Ocala: horario, entrada y primer sábado gratis
El Appleton Museum of Art está en 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470, y forma parte del College of Central Florida. El horario es de martes a sábado de 10 a.m. a 5 p.m. y los domingos de mediodía a 5 p.m.; cierra los lunes y los días de Acción de Gracias, Navidad y Año Nuevo. La entrada cuesta $10 para adultos, $8 para personas de 55 años o más, $5 para jóvenes de 6 a 17 años y es gratis para niños de 5 años o menos. El primer sábado de cada mes la entrada es gratis para todos de 10 a.m. a 5 p.m., e incluye la colección permanente, las exposiciones especiales y el taller ArtSpace. Para información, llame al (352) 291-4455.