Spencer Museum of Art facts for kids
The entrance in 2016
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| Former name | University of Kansas Museum of Art (1928-1978) |
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| Established | 1928 |
| Location | 1301 Mississippi Street Lawrence, Kansas 66045 |
| Type | Art museum |
| Accreditation | American Alliance of Museums |
| Collection size | ~47,000 objects |
| Visitors | 100,000 annually |
| Architect | Robert E. Jenks Pei Cobb Freed & Partners |
| Owner | University of Kansas |
The Spencer Museum of Art is a cool art museum located at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, USA. It's a place where you can see amazing artworks from all over the world!
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
The Spencer Museum of Art has a long and interesting story. It all started with a generous gift from an art lover.
How the Museum Began
In 1917, a woman named Sallie Casey Thayer from Kansas City gave her huge art collection to the University of Kansas. She had over 7,000 artworks, mostly from Asia and Europe. Her goal was to help people in the Midwestern United States learn more about fine arts.
In 1928, the university opened the University of Kansas Museum of Art. It was located inside Spooner Hall, and Mrs. Thayer's collection was its main feature. As years passed, the museum grew very popular. By the 1960s, under the leadership of Marilyn Stokstad, it needed a much bigger space.
A New Home for Art
In 1978, another kind art collector from Kansas City, Helen Foresman Spencer, made a big donation. This money helped build a brand new museum building. The new building was designed by Robert E. Jenks, who was an architect and a former student of the university. It was built in a classic style using Indiana limestone.
The museum was then renamed the Spencer Museum of Art to honor Helen Spencer. Since then, only a few people have led the museum, including Charles C. Eldredge, Jay Gates, Andrea Norris, and Saralyn Reece Hardy.
Growing the Collection and Space
In 2007, the museum got even bigger! Over 9,000 objects from the former University of Kansas Museum of Anthropology were moved to the Spencer Museum. This new collection included many cultural items from around the world, especially from Native American groups.
Modern Updates and Renovations
The museum has also been updated to make it even better for visitors. In 2016, the first part of a big renovation project was finished. This project changed over 30,000 square feet of the museum. New areas like the Stephen H. Goddard Study Center and the Jack and Lavon Brosseau Center for Learning were added. These new spaces help students and visitors learn more about art.
The museum also received grants to support research. In May 2021, more renovations began on the fourth floor. These updates added new ceilings, lighting, and oak floors. A new study center, the Ingrid & J.K. Lee Study Center, was also created. It has special drawers and glass cases to show off larger artworks.
The updated galleries reopened in November 2022. They now show a wider variety of artworks and stories. These improvements were made possible by generous gifts and grants, helping the museum continue to be a great place for art.
Exploring the Art Collection
The Spencer Museum of Art has a huge collection of over 48,000 art pieces. These artworks come in many different forms and styles.
You can find American and European art from very old times to today. The museum also has a wonderful collection of Asian art from different periods in history. It's like taking a trip around the world through art!
Murphy Art and Architecture Library
If you love books and learning, you'll be happy to know there's a library right inside the museum! The Murphy Art and Architecture Library is on the first floor. It's a great place to find out more about art and buildings.
Museum Leaders (Directors)
Here are the people who have led the Spencer Museum of Art over the years:
- Marilyn Stokstad (1961–1968)
- Charles C. Eldredge (1971–1982)
- Elizabeth Broun (1982–1983)
- Jay Gates (1983–1987)
- Andrea Norris (1988–2004)
- Saralyn Reece Hardy (2005–present)
Gallery
- Select Works in the Spencer Museum of Art
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Albert Bierstadt, Sunset on the Plains, c. 1887
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Jean-Léon Gérôme, A Chat by the Fireside, 1881
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Winslow Homer, West India Divers, 1899
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George Inness, Gossip, 1884
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Édouard Manet, Little Girl in an Armchair, 1878
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Theodoor Rombouts, The Musicians, c. 1620
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Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Pia de' Tolomei, c. 1875
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Dirck van Santvoort, Portrait of a Man, 1643
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John Singer Sargent, Ariana Curtis, 1882
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Gillis van Tilborgh, A Picture Gallery, c. 1665
