Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Missouri
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, is celebrated for its extensive and diverse art collections spanning nearly every continent and culture, with a particularly notable Asian art collection. Founded through the bequests of William Rockhill Nelson and Mary McAfee Atkins, the museum opened in 1933 in a Beaux-Arts style building designed by architects Wight and Wight, modeled after the Cleveland Museum of Art. Over time, it has expanded to include the acclaimed Bloch Building, recognized internationally for its architectural innovation. The museum's collection was assembled from scratch during the Great Depression, allowing curators to acquire significant artworks from a flooded market. The museum offers free admission and hosts rotating exhibitions, cultural events, and educational programs, making it a vibrant cultural hub. The exterior features limestone panels depicting civilization's march westward, and the south facade overlooks terraces and Brush Creek, contributing to its iconic status in Kansas City.
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Astuce: Plan your visit on Thursdays or Fridays when the museum offers extended evening hours until 9 PM. Admission is free, but consider joining as a member for benefits like free exhibition tickets and parking. Check the official website in advance for temporary gallery closures due to Bloch Building renovations and to book tickets for special events or tours.
Faits intéressants
- •The Bloch Building was ranked number one on Time magazine's list of 'The 10 Best (New and Upcoming) Architectural Marvels' in 2007.
- •The museum's limestone exterior panels depict the westward march of civilization, including wagon trains from Westport Landing.
- •The museum's collection was assembled during the Great Depression, allowing acquisitions from a market with few buyers.
- •The south facade of the museum is an iconic Kansas City landmark overlooking terraces and Brush Creek.
Histoire
The museum was established from the combined bequests of William Rockhill Nelson, a prominent Kansas City publisher, and Mary McAfee Atkins, a real estate widow, with the goal of creating a major public art institution.
Construction began in 1930, and the museum opened in 1933.
Initially, the building included unfinished sections reserved for future expansion, some of which were completed post-World War II.
The institution was originally two separate museums until formally unified in 1983 under its current name.
Over the decades, the museum has grown its collection and facilities, including the addition of the modern Bloch Building, enhancing its architectural and cultural significance.
Guide du lieu
Beaux-Arts Building1933
The original 1933 museum building designed by Wight and Wight in classical Beaux-Arts style, inspired by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Features grand limestone panels depicting civilization's progress and oak leaf motifs symbolizing the original Oak Hall estate.
Bloch Building2007
A modern architectural addition to the museum, acclaimed globally and recognized by Time magazine for its innovative design. It houses contemporary art and provides expanded gallery space and visitor facilities.
Limestone Panels1933
Twenty-three limestone panels on the exterior created by sculptor Charles Keck, illustrating the march of civilization from east to west, including imagery of wagon trains leaving Westport Landing.
South Facade and Terraces1933
The museum's south facade overlooks a series of terraces descending to Brush Creek, creating a picturesque and iconic Kansas City landmark.
Contact
Téléphone: (816) 751-1278
