Spencer Museum of Art

In 1917 Sallie Thayer gifted her entire art collection to the University of Kansas and so The Spencer Museum of Art was born. Since then artwork pieces have been added and the collection has grown with the notable addition of all the ethnographic objects originally housed in the university's anthropology department.

Despite being a small museum, the permanent exhibitions on display are definitely worth a visit. Items include detailed North American tribal Pueblo pottery, an extensive African collection, Inuit clothing and plenty of 20th-century artifacts.

In the Asian section you will find and array of beautiful oriental art. Detailed prints and carvings represent Turkey and India. Chinese ink paintings exploding with colour are a must-see as are the wooden block prints from Japan.

Over in the European and American exhibits you will find an eclectic range of artworks ranging from large sculptures and heavy textiles to delicate prints and illustrations. Head to the print room and you will see the collection’s exceptional range of artworks on paper. These are generally only displayed as part of temporary exhibits so if you’d like to see them then make sure to visit on a Friday when the print room is open.

The Spencer Museum of Art has had some truly magnificent temporary exhibitions in the past. Masterful works of Renaissance art from Italy, modern art from the Orient and installation art from all around the world, to name but a few. A good idea is to consult the museum's official website to see what travelling exhibition is on before you visit.

Located on the University of Kansas campus, the museum is about 45 minutes drive outside the city. There is lots of parking. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday and entry is free.