Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Profile and History

The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City is recognized nationally and internationally as one of America's finest art museums, and is home to several original Van Gogh paintings, which visitors are invited to see after their experience at Starlight Theatre. The museum, which strives to be the place where the power of art engages the spirit of community, opens its doors free of charge to people of all backg rounds. The museum is an institution that both challenges and comforts, that both inspires and soothes, and it is a destination for inspiration, reflection and connecting with others. The Nelson-Atkins serves the community by providing access to its renowned collection of more than 42,000 art objects and is best known for its Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and Native American and Egyptian galleries. Housing a major art research library and the Ford Learning Center, the museum is a key educational resource for the region. In 2017, the Nelson-Atkins celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Bloch Building, a critically acclaimed addition to the original 1933 Nelson-Atkins Building.