Welcome to your museum!
Discover a new treasure. Spend time with an old favorite.
Chinese Furniture
Chinese Sculpture
South Asian
Japanese
Chinese Chinese Paintings
Chinese
American Museum Store
Chinese Temple
American Indian American Sculpture Park Donald J. Hall
American
American Indian American
American
Bloch Building
Nelson-Atkins Building
Plaza Level
Lobby Level
Ford Learning Center Bloch Lobby
Egyptian, Greek and Roman
European
European
Rozzelle Court Restaurant
Kirkwood Hall
Sculpture Hall
European
European Ford Learning Center Educator Resource Center
European
European
porary
Contem
European
European
Contemporary
Cloister
Atkins Auditorium
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mpo
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rary
mpo
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Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park
Nelson-Atkins Building
Level 2 Chinese Furniture
South Asian
Japanese
Chinese
Chinese Chinese Paintings
American Featured Exhibitions
Chinese Temple
American Indian American
Noguchi Court
American
American Indian American
American
4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri | 816.751.1ART | nelson-atkins.org Photos by Mark McDonald. Egyptian, Greek and Roman
African
Photography
Chinese Sculpture
European
Featured Exhibitions
Where Should I Start?
If you need anything, look for our officers and volunteers. We’re here to help!
Welcome to The NelsonAtkins Museum of Art. Have fun touring our encyclopedic (everything from A–Z) collection or find a few works of art that inspire you. Contemplate and relax or share lively conversation. There are many ways to enjoy the museum, and we are here to make sure you have a comfortable and meaningful experience.
Good question! There’s a lot to see, and you don’t need to tackle it all in one day. General admission is always free, so take your time, and see a few galleries today and more on your next visit. This is your museum—we want you to return again and again. If you’d like some suggestions, ask one of the Visitor Service Officers or volunteers, listen to an audio guide tour on your smartphone (naguide.org) or borrow a Mobile Guide, from the Info Desk, pick up one of our many self-guided tours or take a docent led tour. Please visit the Info Desk in Bloch Lobby for maps and directions, featured exhibition tickets, memberships, Mobile Guides, events and tour information and collection searches.
What if I Don’t Know Anything About Art? We all have gut reactions to works of art: Love it! It’s beautiful! Yuck! Why is this in an art museum?! Go with your gut, and look closer at the work of art to figure out what about it makes you feel this way.
Take Breaks! Did you know there is an actual condition called “museum fatigue?” So, if you start to feel tired, take a break. Head for a bench or Rozzelle Court Restaurant (Nelson-Atkins Building, Plaza Level) for a snack to get you back on your feet.
Have a Conversation
Hours and Admission
Conversation is one of the best ways to engage with art. If you are visiting with friends or family, talk about what you’re seeing. Everyone sees different things in a work of art so you might get a different perspective.
Wednesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. OPEN LATE! Friday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. OPEN LATE! Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
If you’re visiting on your own, you could “dare to stare:” see how long you can look at a work of art and if you see more the longer you look. And remember, we are NOT a library, so you don’t have to whisper!
Admission is FREE to the museum every day. Some featured exhibitions may require tickets, but prices are low and members and children under 12 are always FREE.
What Shouldn’t I Miss? Use the map to find these collection highlights in the galleries. (Some works of art might not be on view)
Contemporary
European
Japanese
European
American Indian
Egyptian
Chinese
African
American
Sculpture Park
More tips for having the best time at your museum. TAKE YOUR TIME
There’s no right way to see the museum—take y our time and explore what calls to you. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
Please keep a safe distance between you and the works of art. Even clean hands leave oils behind. HUNGRY?
Please keep food and drink out of the galleries. Visit Rozzelle Court Restaurant, the Creative Café, o r have a picnic in the Sculpture Park. LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
Please check large bags FREE at Coat Check. Child carriers should be worn on chest. BE INSPIRED
We like to create art, too! 24" x 36" or smaller sketchpads and pencils only. Painting in the museum needs prior approval and written permission. TAKE MY PICTURE
Take pictures of the museum and most art! Art in featured exhibitions or on loan to the museum may not be photographed. Tripods require special permission. HOLD MY CALLS
Please turn all electronic devices to VIBRATE. TAKE IT OUTSIDE
Please wait until you are outside to erupt into cartwheels of joy. Our Sculpture Park has 22 acres for you to run and play.