The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is the largest museum of its kind in a four-state area. The Oppenheimer Collection is displayed in three permanent galleries and throughout the campus. The museum also annually features 16 temporary exhibits.
How to get to Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is located on the north side of Regnier Center and southeast of Carlson Center on the northeast corner of the campus. Enter from Quivira Road and drive ahead to the building. There is free parking in any open lot, the shopping center across the street, or the covered parking garages at Regnier Center and the east side of Carlsen Center.
Best and worst times to go to Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
The museum is closed Mondays and college holidays. Rainy and snowy days are worst for viewing sculptures on campus. The museum is seldom crowded. Free one-hour long interactive art appreciation guided tours available by reservation on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. pending docent availability.
Admission to Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
The museum is free and open to the public.
Must see/do at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
When visiting the museum, don't miss the museum itself. Architect Kyu Sung Woo's minimalist design features natural light and an exterior of white Kansas limestone. As you enter the building, look up. Don't miss the light sculpture Microcosm by Leo Villareal, commissioned as a permanent site-specific work, which features 60,000 light emitting diodes (LEDs). Another work commissioned for the museum is Some/One by Do-Ho Suh, a standing empty robe made of thousands of steel dog tags.
Food at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
Café Tempo is located between the Nerman Museum and Regnier Center and is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) Breakfast choices include fresh fruit, espresso drinks, French toast, quiche and more for $7 or less. The lunch menu has salads and sandwiches mostly under the $8. There is a food court in the Commons building on the northwest corner of the campus. Off campus, a wide variety of fast-food and sit-down restaurants along both Quivira Rd. and College Blvd.
Other places to visit near Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead is nearby at 13800 Switzer.
Insider tip for visitors to Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
Pick up free self-guided tours, maps and other materials at the museum information desk.
Author's bio: Mary-Lane Kamberg is a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area and a former Johnson County Community College student.