The Nelson-Atkins is synonymous with Kansas City and an absolute must-visit for visitors and locals…read morealike. Where to even start? This encyclopedic museum was built in the 1930s in a traditional beaux arts style. The original 1930s building is just as stunning today as it was 90 years ago. The original courtyard has been modified and transformed into a restaurant, but aside from that it remains largely untouched. In the 2000s the museum expanded with the Bloch building - an architectural marvel all it's own. Drive by at night to see each lens lit up. Currently they are working on another expansion, that will bring the museum into the modern era. I've spent so much time here it's ridiculous. From exploring as a child with my grandmother, to my time as a student, to exploring now as an adult there is really something here for just about anyone. Being an encyclopedic museum it features art from across the world and spanning the timeline of humanity. You can use the Nelson as a launching pad for discussing nearly any moment in time through the lens of art, which is really an impressive feat for a midsize city like KC. Some of my favorite pieces include a relic with the "finger bone" of st. John the Baptist (it's likely a chicken bone), "Woman IV" by Willem de Kooning, "Boulevard des Capucines" by Claude Monet, and "Persephone" by Thomas Hart Benton. This is the place I take all of my guests, and the place I come to when I need to reset or recharge myself. It's always beautiful, always therapeutic, and always FREE. I'm not sure folks really understand the incredible gift we have as a community to have access to this incredible place. My top KC treasure, and I hope every person gets a chance to visit someday.

My visit to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was extremely disappointing. While the museum itself…read morewas beautiful the behavior of several staff members completely ruined the experience. Throughout our visit we were repeatedly followed and monitored. At one point, as we were leaving through a doorway a staff member who was entering saw us exiting and immediately turned around after looking directly at us. Another staff member approached us in a very confrontational manner under the guise of "guiding" us and even laughed after I responded with "yikes." The micro-aggressions were impossible to ignore. They didn't even seem "micro." The behavior from staff was excessive, unwelcoming, and deeply uncomfortable. It's unfortunate that such a culturally significant and visually appealing place is staffed by people who ruin the experience. I genuinely hope the museum addresses and provides better training on how staff members interact with guests.

In my previous review, I wrote about a wild idea that Scotty, the owner, helped me bring to life…read more Wild is fun, but Scotty also does normal framing, in case you're wanting something a little more basic. I'm a huge sports fan, so I finally got it together and brought my Kansas City championship newspaper front pages in. Scotty took some time, helped me pick out some mat colors that matched up with team uniforms and made some frame suggestions. A couple of weeks later, I had a better looking living room. Please let Scotty know if you have any ideas. He's happy to help.

Took a leisurely BYOB painting class here and had a blast. The parking can be a little tricky if…read moreit's a busy evening but it's well worth it. I bought the groupon to test the place out and wasn't disappointed. The teacher was quite fun and energetic too.

There are 6 interior galleries with an exterior sculptures around the building. The Kemper is…read morefree. There is small parking lot around the building as well as street parking. I am counting the restaurant ( Oil on Linen ) as a gallery because it features The History of Art by Frederick James Brown. It's a huge series that highlights major artists over the past couple centuries. The atrium is the second gallery that has rotating works and permanent installations. There are four other galleries as well. There are two on each sides of the center. Each of the galleries rotates and has a theme or single artist.

Lovely place. This is a great museum…read more We were here for the chamber orchestra Valentine's Day concert. Every year, it's lovely. This was the best one ever. So great! Thank you, Fran.

Great tour guide, we were able to tour the house and studio. The guide provided insight to the…read moreartist and family. House has most of the original furnishings. Enjoyed it very much.

The outside of the house was nice. The art studio where Thomas Hart painted his artwork was even…read moremore special. The inside felt like an actual lived-in historic home even including an early-1970s TV set, paintings, and cozy spaces to complete. Although there is a small $5 admission fee per person, it was worth it.

The H&R Block Artspace is a mid size gallery at 43rd and Walnut and located just 2 blocks from…read morecampus and its sister The KCAI Gallery; and is much larger. I attended the 2021 KCAI Biennial this weekend and absolutely loved this mixed media exhibition. Featuring 49 current students and faculty; a hodgepodge of the profound to the whimsical. Film to fiber; ceramics to found objects, written word to sculpture. A perfect cacophony to stimulate and delight at as you wander from piece to piece. This exhibit ends 3/5/22, but I have already set up a calendar reminder so I don't miss the annual BFA Exhibit opening in April. With free admission, the Artspace should be on everyone's list of simple Saturday pleasures in Kansas City. Long live the Kansas City Art Institute and thank you to the cultural impact they have cultivated in this great city over the decades.

The Flat Files exhibition they have every other year is incredible. They invite 150 current…read moreartists to show their work in portfolio format. The curator will pull a sample or two from the artists' selection of works and include the drawer number on the label. You can then don white cotton gloves to gently handle the original works stored in the files in the center of the gallery. One of the most intimate experiences I've had with paintings, drawings, and digital works. If you see something you can't live without, the artists' contact information and sale prices are tastefully presented in each portfolio. Admission itself is free, I think.

What a perfect fall evening and so excited it could happen this year! There are several stages…read morethroughout the plaza for live music. Walk up and down streets and see so many different art mediums for artists all over the country. Paintings, photography, jewelry, wood working, fiber ... so many various crafts to learn about and purchase a unique piece! You can purchase small bites or full meals from various local food venues up and down side streets ... the smells are tantalizing. Tip... go down the sides for shorter lines!!! Also cash only lines are ALOT shorter ( yes apparently using cash is a thing again). The event is free to explore and the people watching is fantastic!

One of the most organized and biggest art fair in Kansas CIty. Love when the art festival is here,…read moreit's a sign that Autumn is here. For this year 2023, Didn't really had any expectations because it's always been a good time here. The art here was amazing, lots of different artists and the uniqueness they provide. Love the friday night stage, they played some good live music at the main stage. I always love the food vendors here because you know it will be good regardless you go to their restaurant or their tent. This year, we had the granfalloon brunt end's nacho. THOSE WERE BOMB DOT COM. Delicious and fulfulling. So tempting to go back to the art fair again to just seek those. Can't wait to see what next year will provide.

Where do you buy gifts if you want the recipient to think you're clever AND have good taste? Where…read moredo you go if you want to visit an inspiring retail shop? Not many better places than the museum store @ NAMA. I've been to the NAMA several times, but somehow I've never noticed this awesome gift shop tucked under a stairwell. I'm kicking myself for not going here whenever I needed a gift. I know what you're thinking...a museum gift shop? 4 stars? Seriously? LAME. I generally agree that gift shops blow. They're usually for stranded or overly excited museum tourists to blow money they shouldn't be spending. Many times these places are even tacky. I'd argue the NAMA museum store is very light on the tacky nonsense. Most of the stuff I saw there I'd like to own or found interesting. There is a overwhelming selection of awesome art history texts here. LIke WOW amount. Multiple books solely about peeps like Bruce Nauman, Cindy Sherman, David Smith, et al. If the shop was a wee bit larger I could see myself spending days here just browsing through all the fascinating art history books. Unfortunately, the size of the area doesn't lend to extensive browsing. Any & every "rock star" artists of the last thousand years is represented. Seriously impressive collection. There is also an extensive stationary & cards department as you enter. What struck me most about the gift selection is the amount of unique--almost quirky stuff. My sister has a salt and pepper shaker that i always wondered where she got it and sure enough here it is for sale at NAMA's Museum Store. The Museum Store is the type of place you'd go if you appreciate paying a little extra to shop inside a building designed by Steven Holl. It's a place to find gifts, books, & stationary with a touch of muted eccentricity. Not your everyday store with not your everyday items...

The Nelson-Atkins Museum, Rozzelle Court and The Museum Store for me is like getting a really big…read morehug of joy and happiness. It's the best trifecta in town. For me, I grew up in a very blue collar, factory, warehouse part of town. Going to the Nelson as a kid was life changing for me. It showed me that there was a different kind of life out of what I was surrounded by. Not that one is better than the other, just an expansion of possibilities. So I do realize that I have a heart string attachment to this place, but with perspective, I still feel all three aspects of this museum are exceptional and should be explored by all. The Museum Store (gift shop) is very well done. It's perfect for unique gifts, local gifts and not-as-readily seen mass produced retail items. They have an outstanding book selection with focus on art, artist, architecture and design. They also have a strong and unique card/ stationary area. Gifts for all ages and all people are easily found here. It's a great store to find a unique and personable gift at, all within the amazingly gorgeous walls of the Bloch building. Maybe that one gift you buy here will change the life of some young person you know too. If that's not a reason to shop here than I don't know what to tell you.

An an old theater that has been renovated as an event space and concert venue with an 800 person…read morecapacity. Their is generally no seating on the floor when there are concerts yet they have a few reserved tables and chairs in the wrap around balcony. I have done both and certainly appreciate a chair when attending a three hour event. The bar is priced moderately and much cheaper than some venues, my bourbon and soda was $8. Street parking on Main Street is now off limits because of the streetcar, lots are small and limited and side streets are dark and sketchy, so catch an Uber or take the streetcar.

I loved this venue for seeing a concert! The reserved cabaret seating was great. The staff was…read morefriendly and efficient. My only critique was the lighting but that might have been the choice of the artist it was super dark and difficult to see but we still loved the show.