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The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art arose from the instincts and ambitions of two private individuals who shared the dream of providing a public art museum for Kansas City and the surrounding region.
William Rockhill Nelson, founder of The Kansas City Star, was convinced that for a city to be truly civilized, art and culture were necessities. When he died in 1915, the bulk of his estate was used to establish the William Rockhill Nelson Trust for the purchase of works of art “which will contribute to the delectation and enjoyment of the public generally.”
Kansas City school teacher Mary McAfee Atkins had similar aspirations for her city. Although relatively unknown, she provided the city with approximately one-third of her million-dollar estate to purchase the land for a public art museum.
The Nelson estate was combined with Mary Atkins’ legacy to build an art museum for the people of Kansas City. The William Rockhill Nelson Gallery of Art and the Mary Atkins Museum of Fine Arts opened to the public on Dec. 11, 1933.
On June 9, 2007, the Nelson-Atkins unveiled the Bloch Building, an addition designed by Steven Holl Architects, which increased gallery and storage space for the growing collection.
Today, the Nelson-Atkins maintains collections of more than 35,000 works of art and welcomes 500,000 visitors a year.
LOCATION
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ALBUQUERQUE LITTLE THEATRE
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- Vinaigrette
- Garcias Kitchen The Original
- Route 66 Malt Shop
- Bottger Mansion of Old Town
Bottger Mansion of Old Town- Liu Chinese Fast Food
Bottger Mansion of Old Town - Liu Chinese
- Vinaigrette
Accessibility Information
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Info
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Wheelchair Access
ADDITIONAL ACCESSIBILITY INFO: American Sign Language interpreters are available free of charge for talks and presentations. To schedule an interpreter, please contact communityprograms@nelson-atkins.org or call 816-751-0441. Please allow two weeks’ notice to schedule an interpreter.
PARKING INFO
Entrance to the Parking Garage is off Oak Street, just south of 45th Street. The garage is fully ADA accessible. Parking is $14 per car | Free for members A free lot at the corner of 45th Street and Rockhill Road is available first come, first served. Public parking may not be available there during special events.
PUBLIC HOURS
Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday, Saturday, & Sunday. Open 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Thursday & Friday. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday.
CLOSED Closed New Year’s Day, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
PUBLIC ADMISSION FEES
Museum admission is FREE every day. Ticketed Exhibitions are $22 Adults; free for Members.
