Spencer Museum of Art
Museum University art museum with diverse American and global collections
On the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, the Spencer Museum of Art houses European, American and Asian collections; visitors come for rotating exhibitions, campus galleries and academic programs.
The Spencer Museum of Art is the art museum of the University of Kansas, located on the university campus in Lawrence, Kansas. It functions as both a public museum and a teaching collection, housing a broad range of works across cultures and historical periods.
Galleries present art from global traditions spanning antiquity to contemporary practice, and the museum supports academic programs, exhibitions and public programming. The collection includes a mix of paintings, prints, sculpture, decorative arts and works on paper used for research and teaching.
The museum developed from university art holdings and acquisitions over the 20th century into a consolidated institution serving students, scholars and the public. Facilities and exhibition spaces have been adapted over time to support conservation, storage and rotating exhibitions.
It sits on the KU campus in Lawrence in northeastern Kansas, with campus addresses and visitor information available through the university; the city of Lawrence is west of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
- University museum: Located on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence and serves as the university's teaching museum for art and material culture.
- Collection size: Holds a multi-continental collection numbering in the tens of thousands, covering works from antiquity to contemporary art.
How to Get to Spencer Museum of Art #
The Spencer Museum is on the west side of the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence. From downtown Lawrence it’s a short drive or a 15-20 minute walk; limited campus parking is available. The nearest public transit is the Lawrence Transit bus network; consult local routes for stops near Jayhawk Boulevard and Mississippi Street.
Tips for Visiting Spencer Museum of Art #
- Check the Spencer Museum's calendar for rotating exhibitions and free public programs - the museum runs frequent talks and family activities.
- The museum is on the University of Kansas campus; combine a visit with a walk through the nearby Campanile and Memorial Union area.
- Photography policies vary by exhibition - ask at the desk before using flash in galleries.
Best Time to Visit Spencer Museum of Art #
Open year-round following university calendar; weekdays are less busy than weekend afternoons.
Weather & Climate near Spencer Museum of Art #
Spencer Museum of Art'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 -7°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1004 mm/year), wettest in June.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -4°C. The driest month with just 29 mm.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (135 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (141 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).
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