Museum Mission—Director's Statement
Welcome! I am pleased that you are exploring the fascinating world of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art through our new website.
Think of this website not as a final destination but as a portal of beginnings–a gateway to new possibilities for your own connection to the inexhaustible world of the Museum’s remarkable art collections. Impressionist paintings delight the eye, while the spiritual radiance of our 11th-century Chinese Guanyin clearly signals the human need for something beyond our material world. Whether it’s the varied languages of art or the rich histories that lie behind their creation, you will find something that resonates with you.
Begin here on your personal journey of discovering what works for you at the Nelson-Atkins. Whether you meander through this website as a newcomer or make a beeline for old favorites, I hope that what you see here will sharpen your resolve to visit soon and experience for yourself the truly breathtaking changes that have transformed a familiar museum into a place where you can really connect with great art on your terms.
I am confident that you will be amazed at the transformation. Yes, we have expanded with a new building designed by famed architect Steven Holl. It opened June 9, 2007. Equally important are the reinstallations of the European collections in new bold ways that will enrich your personal dialogue with the works themselves. Caravaggio and Gallé have never looked so good!
There are many new ways to experience the Museum right now. I encourage you to visit often, but don’t overdo it and wear yourself out. As an introduction, think about attending a lecture or maybe signing up for a fun and educational session for you and a special child in your life. If you get tired on your visit, relax with a delicious treat and a tempting drink in one of our two delightful restaurants, Rozzelle Court Restaurant or the Museum Cafe.
Like the museum itself, this website is a living thing. It will continue to grow and change. Make of it what you will. I look forward to hearing from you. More important, I look forward to seeing you at the Museum.
Marc F. Wilson,
Menefee D. and Mary Louise Blackwell Director/CEO