Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - Kansas City MO Museum Asian European Art Architecture

Built on the grounds of historic Oak Hall, visitors to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will be struck by large badminton shuttlecocks. Visually, of course. The installation of oversize pieces by Claus Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen is part of the renowned Kansas City Sculpture Park that fills the immense lawn of the gallery. Yet the sculpture park is one of only many worthy attractions at the museum.

Founded in 1915 at the bequest of William Rockhill Nelson, publisher of the Kansas City Star, the museum quickly amassed one of the largest art collections in the country. One of the ways in which the museum expanded its collection was a series of buying sprees that started in the Great Depression, when many family collections could be had for pennies on the dollar. Uniquely among American museum gifts, Nelson's bequest had been of space and dollars rather than pieces of art. This allowed the museum to start from scratch and exercise professionally discriminating taste in its acquisitions.

The result is a blend of European paintings, Chinese Imperial Art, photography and sculpture. The museum also has the largest collection of works by Thomas Hart Benton, a Kansas City native. In 2006 the photography collection took center stage when Donald Hall of the Hallmark Corporation donated the company's entire collection of photograph to the museum. Spanning 1839 to the present, it is primarily American in focus.

The newly opened Bloch addition greatly increased the size of the museum. The Bloch addition was labeled a top-10 New and Upcoming Architecture Marvel by Time Magazine in 2007. While controversial throughout its planning stage, the cubed structure has proved popular with guests and the main visitor entrance has been moved to the Bloch Gallery.

The museum is free everyday. Supported through bequests and donations, it is open to the public year-round. Visitors are also welcome to explore the sculpture park free of charge during daylight hours.