Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used in research for its novel approach to studying complex human behavior in controlled settings. Across two studies, we investigated the effect of VR on emotion by assessing discrete emotions before and after participants experienced an immersive art exhibit in VR, manipulating characteristics of the virtual environment such as the setting of the gallery (Study 1; N = 464) and the scale of the artwork (Study 2; N = 165). Mixed ANOVAs revealed significant main effects of VR on discrete emotions. Across both studies, negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, and sadness significantly decreased after viewing art in VR, whereas disgust significantly increased. Additionally, these main effects of VR on emotions persisted when cyber-sickness was controlled. We also explored whether participant-RA gender and other characteristics of the simulation influenced reported emotional states.