Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Museum University art museum with modern and contemporary collections

On Washington University’s Danforth Campus in St. Louis, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum exhibits modern and contemporary art; visitors attend rotating shows, lectures and guided campus tours.

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The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum is the art museum of Washington University in St. Louis, located on the university’s Danforth Campus and focused on modern and contemporary art and the university’s teaching collection.

Galleries display rotating exhibitions of painting, sculpture, works on paper and photography alongside selections from the permanent collection. The museum programs exhibitions, lectures and academic activities connected to the university.

The institution traces its roots to the university’s art holdings and was renamed for donor Mildred Lane Kemper. The physical facility underwent a major expansion and renovation by architect Fumihiko Maki that reopened in 2006, creating new gallery spaces and facilities for the collection.

The museum sits on the Washington University Danforth Campus in St. Louis, Missouri, integrated with campus cultural resources and easily reached from central campus locations.

  • University museum: Located on the Washington University in St. Louis Danforth Campus, the museum combines a teaching collection with public exhibitions.

What to See #

  • Maki building (2006 expansion): The museum building that reopened after a major expansion in 2006, designed by architect Fumihiko Maki, houses rotating exhibitions and the museum's galleries.
  • University collection and study areas: The university art collection and study areas support teaching and research, with holdings that include modern and contemporary paintings, sculpture, prints and photographs.
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
1 Brookings Drive, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
38.6474, -90.3027
Tue-Sat 10:00am-5:00pm, Sun noon-5:00pm, closed Mondays
Free admission (special exhibitions may charge)

How to Get to Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum #

The museum sits on Washington University’s Danforth Campus in St. Louis. From the Central West End MetroLink station (Red Line) it’s a roughly 15-20 minute walk or a short MetroBus ride. Paid parking is available on campus; follow campus signage to the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.

Tips for Visiting Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum #

  • Visit late afternoon on weekdays to catch the campus-student trickle-quieter galleries and college light make the modern pieces sing.
  • Check the museum's website before visiting: classes or special installs sometimes close galleries.
  • Don't skip the study room or rotation displays; the museum's small collection is shown in deliberate, changing groupings that many visitors miss.

Best Time to Visit Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum #

Best visited during the university term for the alive-but-not-crowded feel; check the calendar for rotating contemporary exhibitions.

Spring (Mar-May)
Mar-May · Campus mild, 45-70°F (7-21°C)
Class schedule in full swing; student traffic brings energy but not the weekend crowds.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Sep-Nov · Cooler, 40-65°F (4-18°C)
Crisp days and gallery openings-local critics and students linger over small shows.

Weather & Climate near Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum #

Climate

Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (979 mm/year).

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-6°

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (103 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°

Weather

103 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 32°

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm

August

August is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° 31°

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm

September

September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 27°

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm

October

October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°

Weather

88 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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