This small museum houses a deceptively large collection of art and artifacts from the four corners of the world.
The nucleus of the permanent collection of Spencer Museum of Art came from the generosity of local philanthropist, Sallie Thayer, who donated her valuable art collection to the University of Kansas in 1917. Subsequent acquisitions have greatly expanded the original catalogue, which now also includes ethnographic objects from the anthropology department of the university.Space is at a premium in this modest building, meaning that only a small proportion of the collection is on view at any one time. Permanent exhibits include North American tribal pottery, Inuit clothing and a large display of African artefacts, as well as prints and carvings from Asia, woodblock prints from Japan and ink paintings from China. The scope of the collection can be immediately appreciated by wandering around the galleries displaying a range of different styles and periods of art.Among the museum’s many cherished possessions are textiles, sculptures and prints from Europe and America. The print room is open to the public every Friday, when it is possible to view the comprehensive collection of works on paper, including some beautiful illustrations. The museum compensates for its lack of display space by organising temporary exhibitions that enable more items from this important collection to be viewed.Prestigious visiting exhibitions also supplement the museum’s in-house shows, bringing a wide variety of world-class art to Kansas. Previous subjects have included Italian Renaissance masterpieces, contemporary art from Asia and installation art. Check the museum’s website to view the forthcoming programme and plan your visit accordingly.Spencer Museum of Art is situated on the campus of the University of Kansas, around 45 minutes’ drive west of the city centre. There is plenty of on-site parking and entrance is free. The museum is closed on Mondays.
