The Weatherspoon Art Museum, located within the University of North Carolina, exists for the collection, preservation, exhibition, and interpretation of the modern and contemporary art for the benefit of the public, including its multiple audiences, people within the university and community.

The Museum offers activities, which helps it fulfil public service and enrich the lives of the people. It promotes the appreciation for and understanding on visual arts as well as their impact and relationship to the world people live in.

The Museum was founded by Gregory Ivy, first head of the Art Department at Woman?s College, in 1941. Visited by more than 32,000 visitors each year, it features over 15 exhibitions throughout the year. It collection consists of nearly 6,000 works representing all major art movements starting from the 20th century up to the present. Some of the featured artists within the museum are Louise Bourgeois, Willem de Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, Alexander Calder, Robert Henri, John Marin, Cindy Sherman, Sol Le Witt, and Andy Warhol.

The Weatherspoon Art Museum also offers educational programs and activities such as docent-led tours, lectures, gallery talks, and panel discussions.