Announcement:
Due to extreme cold, the galleries will be off view on Friday, January 23. They will resume regular hours on Saturday, January 24.
Welcome to the Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture! The center and its galleries are located just off the main lobby on the first floor of Nancy Nicholas Hall at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
The Ruth Davis Design Gallery and Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery are open to the public and always free. The Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection is free and open by appointment.
Quick Links
Location & Hours
Address
Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture
Nancy Nicholas Hall, Room 1235C
1300 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
For weekend access, enter the building through the main lobby doors or parking garage elevator.
Open Hours for Galleries
Monday–Tuesday: closed
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Building Access
Both galleries are located on the first floor just off the main lobby (or Link) of Nancy Nicholas Hall through the two sets of double doors in the center of the building (pictured above). If entering the building from the parking garage (lot 27) go to the eastern elevator lobby near the red wall, take the elevator to the first floor, and exit to the right.
There are two accessible parking stalls in lot 27. If you have an accessible hangtag or plate, even if the lot is full, pull up to the gate and press the call box to speak with a transportation services representative. They should be able to help you gain access.
From the main lobby, the Ruth Davis Design Gallery is immediately to the west. The Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery is off the hallway to the west, just to the side of the stairs. Both galleries entrances are flush to the floor and wheelchair accessible. Gallery doors are not powered, but a gallery assistant is available to assist with opening doors upon request.
Gendered restrooms are down the west hallway past the Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery, and there is a single stall, gender neutral restroom with a powered door further down the hall.
Weekend access to the galleries is through the main lobby double doors or parking garage elevator only. All other exterior building doors are locked on the weekends.
Parking & Transportation
Parking:
The Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture is located in Nancy Nicholas Hall on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. Paid parking is available on a first come basis. The lots closest to Nancy Nicholas Hall are lots 20, 27, and 36. Check the UW–Madison Visitor Parking website for live updates on parking availability.
Bus:
There are three Madison Metro bus stops on Linden Drive near Nancy Nicholas Hall. Service on Madison Metro routes 80, 81, 82 & 84 is free to all riders.
Class & Group Visits
Visits to the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection:
Objects from the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection are regularly on display in the Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery during open gallery hours. Group and research visits to study objects from storage are welcome on a first come basis, with priority given to UW–Madison classes and scholars. Please complete the form below and a staff member will be in touch.
Exhibition Tours:
To request a tour of our exhibitions with a center staff member, please complete the form below. Priority is given to classes and student groups. For more information about visiting each exhibit, view their exhibition page. We ask that requests be at least two weeks before your preferred visit date.