Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

Art museum · Southmoreland

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

Art museum · Southmoreland

2

4420 Warwick Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111

Photos

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by null

Highlights

Contemporary art hub with rotating exhibits and free admission.  

Placeholder
Placeholder

4420 Warwick Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111 Get directions

kemperart.org
@kempermuseum

Information

Static Map

4420 Warwick Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111 Get directions

+1 816 753 5784
kemperart.org
@kempermuseum
𝕏
@KemperMuseum

Features

wifi

Last updated

Sep 8, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@postcardnews

Free contemporary art with ambitious programming and a refreshed museum restaurant led by a noted local chef. Often paired with Nelson-Atkins in national roundups, it adds a modern counterpoint to KC’s art scene.

https://www.visitkc.com/listings/kemper-museum-of-contemporary-art/
Best Attractions in Kansas City (2025)
View Postcard for Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
@postcardnews

An independent contemporary art hub with free admission and changing exhibits, Kemper balances local energy with national names. Noted by city guides and arts writers, it’s an easy complement to Nelson-Atkins just up the street.

https://shop.kemperart.org/products/solo-membership
Free Attractions in Kansas City (2025)
View Postcard for Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

Daffodil Mama

Google
A small but powerful museum filled with brilliant work from talented artists capturing life from differing perspectives that can be tragic to amusing all in a contemporary way. A must - see. Free admission, free parking in a private lot and handicapped accessible.

S Vance

Google
A really enjoyable contemporary art museum with a variety of different types of installations. I enjoyed the audio/visual exhibits they had, as well as the artwork by Lucía Vidales. Her installation in the foyer is massive and there are so many layers to it. I appreciated the mini scavenger hunt they had to go along with the painting, as well as the informational page written in both Spanish and English.

Dee Crossland

Google
July 2025 Returned on a summer weekday with my 12 year old cousin. She was enthralled by every canvas, film and sculpture. She was particularly impressed with the gift shop jewelry and brunch. Spring 2025. We hit a rotation cycle, so there wasn't much art to see today. No worries, the wonderful little cafe was open, so we ordered brunch with cocktails and chatted. A walk around the block afterward to get a closer look at local metal and ceramic sculptures was the perfect closing to a Sunday visit between busy friends.

J Flummy

Google
What are you waiting for? Beautiful building, contemporary art, and it's free! Free parking too! Great way to spend a quiet afternoon.❤️

c “cfl” lane

Google
Closed on the day we went to visit. Had fun exploring the gardens and surrounding property.

its a beer life

Google
What a treasure to have such a fine art exhibit location in downtown KC. Easily accessible from the Plaza area and free for all to visit. The exhibits were intriguing and vary widely from early European art to post revolutionary art. There was a great exhibit of Egyptian artifacts from the pyramid too. Lots of church related early Christianity artifacts and displays. The stained glass works were so beautiful too. You can spend a day here easily or break it up into smaller visits over time. There is a nice cafe in the center with great food and a selection of coffees and deserts. Venture outside and see the world’s largest shuttle cocks and other great displays of art works. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic on the lawn under the shade of the many Ginkgo trees. There is plenty of parking in the parking garage and it cost 14 dollars per vehicle, which seems like a bargain for the free entry. If you have a handicap tag or plaque the parking is free.

Bill Kusmit

Google
It's a small museum but the rotation of art allow for a new experience regularly.

Daria Opanasenko-Davydova

Google
Wonderful Contemporary Art collection! One of the best Kansas City gems!
google avatar

Ino R.

Yelp
Nice suprise and displaying original works of new artists. I didn't expect this museum to be here as I was enroute to the Nelson-Atkins, but I'm glad I stopped. They have a nice cafe, the Sebastien, that offers a wide variety of entrees from a seasonal menu under good light and in view of some 110 pieces from Frederick James Brown, or sit beneath the enclosed courtyard. Also worth mentioning is an interactive space where you can complete a trivia about the museum's history and works, and play various videos from the various artists who have worked with the Kemper Museum and have had their works shown in its space. This month Lucia Vidales shows her exhibition Hambre, the primary work is shown in the main hall and is amazing. It is her take on the Last Supper and shares the importance of meals and gatherings in the Mexican culture. Just as amazing were the works from the Infinite Regress exhibit, which ties the inspiration for new works with that of older works. It was a great spot to spend some time and there was plenty of interactivity here.
google avatar

Gatangalie S.

Yelp
Kansas City is also known for its brilliant and curious museums. So I spent most of my day treasure hunting and empowered to wonder around with inquisitive thoughts at theKemper Museum of Contemporary work. Thoroughly enjoyed Afghanistan/Canadian Artist Hangama Amiri and Indian Artist Spandita Malik artwork. Appreciate learning about these culture. I also enjoyed exploring the cafe where I devoured some yummy crabs eggs Benedict and a stiff mimosas. There is something just elegant about dining at a museum's cafe. By the way to get into the museum was free and so worth it.
google avatar

Noel F.

Yelp
I always enjoy a visit to the Kemper when I am in town. The folks at the main desk are always so friendly and willing to chat. They have a super cute gift shop, too, reasonably priced. A birthday card, ruler, and 2 stickers ran me less than $20! Their most recent exhibition, Infinite Regress, is quite thought provoking and I thoroughly enjoyed its explorations of a more mystical abstraction. It's small, you don't need much time, perhaps an hour. But it is an hour well spent!
google avatar

Ian M.

Yelp
I would recommend the Kemper. We were in Kansas City to run a marathon. Our party consisted of a nephew, a niece, and the niece's husband -- these are all adults my age, which is to say they are already retired. We then were joined by a friend of the nephew's and mine, with whom we have run other races. Beforehand, we wanted to take in the culture of the area. The others had researched it; the niece's husband had grown up in the KC suburbs. They selected the Kemper. We are all interested in art. The niece is an avid amateur, producing works in many media. The Kemper has two wings on one floor, with a restaurant that contains additional works. Admission is free, with a requested donation, and because it is the proper thing to do we chipped in, not that one ought to be bragging about one's own virtues, and this was too modest to be the subject of a boast anyway. The receptionist, if that is the proper word, was friendly and informative. She offered quite a bit of background, which she must have to repeat throughout the day, and it did not sound at all as if it were scripted. People who have the responsibility to greet guests should all be like that. Whether by selection or training, that was someone suited to the role. She was the the only individual there who was gregarious. One of the guards is also a jazz musician, and I consider it a bonus to chat with someone who is working and to learn a bit about a subject in which I already have interest, an American genre that thrives in the metropolitan area. I regret I passed up the opportunity to talk to the artist in residence. He looked too busy though. They said you could engage him. I took a few photos. That guy was in the cafe, on scaffolding. I would say that a highlight not to be missed are the canvases there, in Cafe Sebastienne, which you can look at even if you are not dining in the facility. We were there early. The service had not yet started, so we were not disturbing folks. There are 100 pieces by Frederick James Brown, who passed away only in 2012, portraits, apparently in styles paying homage to others, eclectic, talented, and a massive undertaking. I know nothing. I took an art history course in college, a single three credits worth of summer evenings. I was pleased, albeit not too much so for that would make one insufferable, to recognize a Hung Liu and an Alice Neel, having seen major retrospectives of those two contemporary painters. The other items, including sculptures outdoors, were interesting, worth engaging with.
google avatar

Kalana M.

Yelp
i never realized they had a restaurant inside this museum! i got the shrimp dish it was really different, not bad at all i liked it but indeed different mix of flavors haha. the popover benedict in my opinion was flavorless and i was not a fan. i loved all the art inside of the restaurant though really good conversation pieces!
google avatar

Lexi M.

Yelp
I've heard that KC had a large art presence, but this museum was top notch for this area. It's fairly small, but the art information ide is great. The amount of famous artists and just the range of art that they have here is incredible!! I wish I would've done a bit more research before we went because they have an exquisite restaurant inside, but they are by reservation only from what the signs read when we visited. They had some great exhibits and again, à mazout housed art. This is a must see if you're in town or if you're a local, a great spot to spend an afternoon!
google avatar

Rachel P.

Yelp
The Kemper is another bright spot in KC's art museum scene. The permanent collection is always beautiful - and growing. The rotating exhibits bring exposure to great national and international artists. I love being able to visit here and see such a wide variety of pieces in such a short time (you can see all the galleries in about an hour). The cafe has a great, eclectic menu and the gift shop offers a fun selection of unique gifts.
google avatar

Ben H.

Yelp
The Kemper museum is small, but it has some good exhibits! Can't beat free admission and parking.
google avatar

Linda O.

Yelp
Another gem in Kansas City! The museum is FREE as was the parking on a weekday . It has a nice little restaurant inside ( Cafe Sebastian) where you can enjoy a bite to eat, coffee or wine. They have a variety of art in different medians. The gift shop was filled with artful gifts from local artists. It was a very lovely way to spend a cold afternoon.
google avatar

Susan M.

Yelp
It's amazing what money, power, and influence can do! This striking contemporary museum, a jewel of KC, is one of many testaments to the Kempers' hold on all three. The Kemper Family has stamped their signature all over the Kansas City area with their vast coffers. Yet, according to another family's saga, much of that was from ill-gotten gains in their early years by swallowing up a rival bank by slandering and destroying the competing banker's good name, reputation, and life's work, when the Kempers were climbing the social and financial ladder, determined to be THE bank of KC. A lovely art museum. Perhaps a not-so-lovely history.
google avatar

Laura S.

Yelp
It was my second time visiting the Kemper Museum. Both visits were great. The museum is a bit small but the art pieces are amazing, I was pretty impressed. It's free admission and parking is also free.
google avatar

Emily M.

Yelp
My 7yr old loves art, so we decided to check out this place when we were out and about visiting the KC area. It wasn't really our style, but it's worth at least stopping in and doing a quick walk through of the art collections. However, the part we did love and thoroughly enjoy was the section where you got to create your own masterpiece to hang on the wall. We really enjoyed taking the time to participate in that activity, and that alone made stopping in totally worth it for my kids!

Joan M.

Yelp
Excellent contemporary art museum. If you like modern art and you are in Kansas City, highly recommend a visit.
google avatar

Stacie J.

Yelp
I had a nice day at the museum today. It was great to get out and get some culture. I started light at the Kemper. Only the first floor is open so what you see is what you get there. The resident art that they have hanging is fresh, bright and modern. I regret not being able to see all of the collections. I will say it's worth the trip.
google avatar

Joni J.

Yelp
I arranged a spring break "staycation" for my 15 year old grand daughter & since she's a budding artist going here was on on our bucket list. We saw everything inside of 2 hours. There were 4 gallery rooms full of beautiful art! There was a hands on area with tables for anyone to draw with the provided materials, crayons, colored pencils etc Books with pages or pieces of colorful construction paper cut into shapes. She enjoyed creating! Then we taped it onto the wall. We enjoyed learning about the featured artists and discussing the artwork there. Highly recommend this museum! The gift shop is also nice!
google avatar

Elyse F.

Yelp
Small modern art museum located next to the art Institute. Many of the pieces featured had signs that indicated they were being shown for the first time. A wide variety of contemporary styles. Reservations are recommended. We visited without reservations, and still got in. The Pulse installation was the largest part/show of the museum. Pulse is an interactive exhibit. Scanners around the room can scan visitor's pulse. Lights then blink or pulsate to the visitor's vitals. It will also change with general motion. Sounds of a pulsing heart are heard throughout. Lights themselves glow warmly in the space. We spent as much time in pulse as in the rest of the museum. Hungry? A restaurant is located inside. Menu looked to be mostly upscale cafe food. Museum gift shop has mostly handmade items. Items range from folksy to true pieces of modern art. Many pieces of unique hand crafted jewelry. Merchandise for adults and children. There are mass merchandised items as well.

Christine B.

Yelp
Great small museum with great cafe. There is an interactive part for kids or grown up kids.
google avatar

Jenny T.

Yelp
This is such a nice venue for a work happy hour and dinner. I imagine that weddings would be nice here too. But I was here for work with co-workers stuck together in meetings all day, seeking open bars for endless drinks and beverages. All I needed was 1 glass of red Chardonnay to bring out the Asian glow and have a spanking good time. Art! Any art! Modern, contemporary, traditional... looks really good after your buzzed. I still don't get it but it was all still fun looking at the pieces offered here. The happy hour was nice, there were waiters walking around with bite sized food to pop into your mouth. Lamb meatballs, cornbread, stuffed mushrooms and crab cakes. Crab cakes were my favorite. The open bar had everything you can imagine to drink. Its funny how much info you can get out of a person when one is loaded with alchie. Dinner was buffet style and I was very surprised at how lovely everything tasted. Goat cheese walnuts spinach salad, flank steak with chimichanga sauce, risotto, and tiny bite size cakes. Nice museum. Nice big giant spider sculpture. Nice space for an event. Fun times with co-workers.
google avatar

D.S. A.

Yelp
My two friends and I visited Kansas City for the first time this weekend. We were underwhelmed by the Kemper. The space was a lot smaller than I had anticipated. While there were several exhibits, most of them featured only a large handful of pieces. I would have preferred seeing fewer photographs by Julie Blackmon and more of the Kemper's permanent collection. Nonetheless, there were some nice pieces and admission is free.
google avatar

Jason G.

Yelp
It's small but packs a punch. I've lived in KC for years and have not any thought about coming here. I've always opted for the big ole Nelson Atkins across the street which is like visiting my grandma's house. Kemper is like going to my niece's hip flat in the city. As the name suggest this is all contemporary art. Be sure to check out the cafe. That's where you are going to find the most pieces. This would be a great place to take a date.
google avatar

Suzee Q.

Yelp
Teeny museum. I hadn't been here in a long time and didn't remember it to be so small! The cafe was closed when we were there. One room had several pieces of exhibition walls or extra furniture stacked up on one end which seemed rather unprofessional. I don't remember the main exhibit that was hanging at the time, I wasn't into it at all, so that was disappointing. I do love many pieces in the Kemper's permanent collection. The gift shop was nicely curated but also very small.

Lucy B.

Yelp
The art was interesting & some very thought provoking However the people supposedly working at the museum were unfriendly, very snooty & all need a lesson in manners. They should visit the Nelson Art Gallery & see how an art gallery in KC should be run!!
google avatar

Liz B.

Yelp
The Kemper is a great little contemporary art museum. It's free and they do a lot of family friendly activities. Today we were there for their Easter egg hunt. In the past we've stopped by for various craft activities. Their kid activities always tie a craft project into their current exhibits. They usually have an art style scavenger hunt to get the kids excited about exploring the galleries. You can find out more about their programs on their website. If you have kids who are really into art you can walk over to the Nelson and see many other styles of art. You'll get to see lots of student work if you walk through the KCAI campus on your way. Perfect activity on a spring day!
google avatar

Christina M.

Yelp
If you're looking to lose an hour or two, while also indulging in a little inspiration I highly suggest Kemper. It's much smaller than the Nelson, and you can grab a bite to eat at Café Sebastienne after you've walked around. The curatorial staff at Kemper do an absolutely amazing job at bringing in new artists, promoting local talent, and bridging the gap between contemporary art and community. They have fun events, innovative exhibits, and really great programs for all ages. The gift shop is also really awesome! Shopping for a unique birthday gift? They probably have something (or many somethings) you have never seen before.
google avatar

Bruce K.

Yelp
One of the smaller museums - in and out in an hour or less - that I've visited in my travels, the collection seemed rather limited and focused almost exclusively on more popular local artists. Maybe that's the "20th anniversary" thing they had going on. I was pleased to see both a an O'Keeffe and a Warhol. The other art was good and I enjoyed myself. Nice structure, I think they could do better. Photographs without flash or tripods are permitted.
google avatar

James J.

Yelp
Having studied art history, I feel very satisfied if I visit a museum with a few works that really had an effect on me. I left with much more than that. The Kemper was really a surprise. I was staying at the Marriott Plaza for the weekend and this museum is literally a 5 minute walk from the hotel entrance. The first thing I stumbled upon was a Francis Bacon work. The museum is free, perfectly sized and gorgeously maintained.
google avatar

Ralphie S.

Yelp
I certainly can't compare The Kemper with The Nelson, but never have I said to myself - hey I'm in midtown with an hour to kill I think I'll go to the Nelson. The Kemper is easy to park and free to get in and small enough that you can get in and out quickly and not feel like a jerk for skimming through an exhibit. The Nelson is an event, the Kemper is an old friend that you stop in and see every few months. I have never seen a rotating exhibit that wasn't top notch and enlightening. They also have Kansas City's only pieces of Chihuli glass sculpture. A great gift to the city. Thank you Kemper family for giving back to the community!
google avatar

Tracy B.

Yelp
I really need to start going to places that are bad so I can give fewer five stars. I hate being one of those All-Five-Star Yelpers. Turns out, though, I am almost one of those All-Five-Star Yelpers. Maybe it is because I love art or, perhaps, I love this venue. I actually used to go here quite a bit with an ex-boyfriend. I have not gone recently for fear of running into him but that is a different story. This place is wonderfully tended. The grounds are gorgeous and the entire building is just stunning. The interior is light, spacious and well lit. Parking is plentiful and there is easy access to the building. There is a very comfortable feel about this venue. For this to be a small-ish art town, KC has some incredible pieces. The permanent collections are amazing, too. As many times as I have seen the permanent collections, I never tire of them. I always see something new and though provoking. Contemporary art is not appealing to everyone but I think the collection at this museum has something for every taste. The staff has always been helpful and courteous. They are always willing to give you information and help. I have never left there with a question unanswered and I appreciate that attention. This place is a great museum to spend a few hours and just absorb all the richness and talent that is displayed here. You will not be disappointed. If you see my ex boyfriend there, don't tell him "Hello" from me. Lol
google avatar

Lee S.

Yelp
As a lover of contemporary art, I loved this collection. Nice modern building and uncrowded displays. A phone app provides a narrative from many artists as well as providing the written text accompanying each piece so you don't have to go to the posted wall description. I very much enjoyed the current and very timely black female artists' depiction of their strife in America. Photography exhibit in the meeting room was also well done. The outside sculptures are extraordinary as well. Of course the Chihulys at entrances as well as in the gift shop were spectacular. Docents & Security staff were ever present but unobtrusive. The woman working in the gift shop was quite pleasant. Adding the high quality cafe (reviewed separately) in a setting fit for art display and makes this a world class museum set among an art institute and other high quality art facilities.
google avatar

Leah L.

Yelp
You really have to like contemporary art to appreciate this one ....it was nice that they have free admission and free parking but frankly I was bored! Masks are also mandatory even though we showed our vaccine card. If you're there for 30 minutes that would be a long time I saw people in and out within five minutes!
google avatar

Lexi S.

Yelp
During a visit out of town we stopped in here to see what we could see. This is a beautifully curated museum that is easy to explore and gorgeous to look at. Every corner you see is more beautiful that the next. The entire staff we encountered were kind, friendly and knowledgeable. This is a MUST see for KC. We didn't get a chance to try the restaurant but I've only heard wonderful things. I can't believe this museum is free. We found easy street parking too! Highly recommend to visitors from all over for a great art experience.
google avatar

N B.

Yelp
It had been about a year since I had been to the Kemper Museum, and wow, has it changed for the better. I've always been happy to have a contemporary museum in the city. It is housed in a pretty cool building within a great neighborhood consisting of the KC Art Institute and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The permanent exhibit has always been good and the visiting exhibits are anything from good to great. But during this visit, the entire place was filled with terrific piece after terrific piece. I believe the curator has changed within the last couple of years, if true, she is doing a great job here. Currently the Kemper has two shows up featuring the Gao Brothers (amazing) and Marc Swanson (gorgeous). Stop by before they are gone. But if this is the quality that the curator is putting together, it should always be a good time to stop by the Kemper. A must at the Kemper is Cafe Sebastienne. Great food in a great space. It's seasonal food prepared perfectly. It's great for a nice lunch or perfect for a special dinner out. If nothing else, stop in for a good glass of wine after checking out the museum itself. While in the neighborhood, go across the street and spend some time at the Nelson-Atkins too, support the arts in KC.
google avatar

Stephen H.

Yelp
I'm with my friend-in-real-life Brandi C. on this. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to art. But I do think that it's really important to challenge oneself, especially in genres/fields we enjoy. I constantly try to wrap my head around modern classical music, and so too, I pretty consistently get out and try to grapple with modern art. The Kemper is not huge, and you have Cafe Sebastienne to spell you should you want to pace the viewing. You can really see it all in about an hour, maybe a bit more. But it's worth coming back to, again and again, and is a wonderful counterpoint to the very traditional Nelson, just about next door.
google avatar

jennifer j.

Yelp
My taste in art is for the modern variety, so I feel blessed to have this museum in Kansas City. The space is really beautiful and it is available for rent. A must see for visitors and locals.
google avatar

Scott T.

Yelp
While some say the smaller footprint of the museum detracts from it, I find the size quite appealing. The spaces are nicely designed, well lit, first class signage, and it's certainly easy to find your way around. Parking is convenient, there's no charge to get in. Apparently the museum restaurant is quite nice though I've not eaten there. What's to not like? A special exhibit of photos by Laura McPhee we viewed today--truly outstanding. The idea that there's a museum you can visit on your lunch hour and get in and out and still see something worth your time is highly desirable. Love the Nelson, but try doing that on your lunch hour. Good luck. Plan to return as often as new exhibits are added and old ones move on.
google avatar

Eric N.

Yelp
The recent focus of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art has been women in the arts; but you won't find the familar names such as Georgia O'Keefe or Frida Kahlo. Instead you will see pieces by a diverse portfolio ranging from a brilliant mural in the atrium by Dominican Republic born Firelei Báez that manages to be both stunning and a provocative piece of social commentary to local artist Cheryl Eve Acosta who brilliantly weaves copper and other metals into organic treasures. Since it's opening in 1994 , just a short walk from the enormous and spectacular Nelson-Atkins Museum , the much more intimate-in-scale Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art has showcased such diverse exhibitions as "Magnetic Fields:Expanding American Abstraction 1960's to Today" which focused it's lens on women of color in the genre to the recent "Outwin:American Portraiture Today" (the KMCA was the only Midwestern stop for these 43 award winning portraits from the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery which tackled cultural and political subjects like race, gender, and migration). The current exhibit "Women to Watch:Metals" is a showcase for local artists and is worth a special trip before it closes Sun Jan 28. I am going back tonight for the opening of the first ever US retrospective of "collography" from the late Belkis Ayón, a black Cuban woman. The museum is always offering classes and lectures for adults, families and teens and you can always count on the stunning café Sebastienne for fantastic food and drinks ( it is one of my favorite go-to places for lunch with friends )! Did I mention the museum and parking are both Free as well ! #ericnielsenkc #kansascity #kempermuseum
google avatar

Anna B.

Yelp
We were here for my friend's wedding yesterday. Beautiful venue, incredible food, and amazing service. Natasha, the event coordinator was efficient, kind, and confident- she made everyone feel great about the event! The food was delicious and artful, and the space was an amazing place for a wedding and celebration! Definitely would recommend.
google avatar

Sonia K.

Yelp
All I wanted to do on my 22nd birthday was visit the Kemper Museum and see Antoine's Organ. Despite the museum being on the smaller side there were still several activities to see along with the new exhibit. I love the collection this museum has. Overall, this museum is pretty easy going with free parking and admission. There is a lovely cafe here too. I can't wait to see what they bring to the Kemper next.
google avatar

Benjamin B.

Yelp
The museum is quite small, only 4 small galleries, but very nice. The admission is completely free, as is the parking. The docents were very helpful and friendly. One of the exhibits was an Adam Cvijanovic exhibit called American Montage when I was there that was truly the highlight of my trip. My understanding is that the exhibits rotate frequently, so this seems the sort of museum that you could go to on a very regular basis and still see new exhibits. We also dined at the restaurant, which is not only quite good, but also decorated with interesting art of its own. If you're going to be in the neighborhood I and have all day, I recommend starting your day here, have lunch at Café Sebastienne, then move on to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art for the rest of the afternoon. If I lived here I would visit here often. Highly recommended!
google avatar

Brian C.

Yelp
I attended a wedding reception here on a Saturday. It was my first time here and it made a favorable impression. The art work on display was of quality and filled the eye with much detail. The food was above average (fall veggies in a red pepper sauce, pork loin w/ pear chutney, sliced chicken, butternut squash risotto, potato fingerlings, and a salad of greens w/ candied pecans (not overly sweet,) and a couple other veggies I can't remember,) which was served in a buffet style. The service staff was attentive and polite. The tables were located at multiple areas of the museum, but within visual sight of most of the other tables at a given time, so there was physical separation to good degree. Given the design of the place, the acoustics were pretty rough and your during the dinner, you had to semi-forcefully project your voice to compete with 50 other voices. That aside, it was a cool place to check out. If there was no cover charge, I'd go back to casually check out new pieces/displays.
google avatar

Scott F.

Yelp
I was impressed; they have breadth and depth. You can also see everything in a very short time, since they have only a few rooms. So it makes for a quick, free museum visit.
google avatar

Phillip Y.

Yelp
This is probably the shortest tour of a museum that we have done. It is not big at all but it is free. So, you can't complain either. It is pretty interesting with the selection of contemporary art. Also, there is a decent café to have brunch or dinner inside.
google avatar

MJ T.

Yelp
Sunday afternoon review: I love this Museum because of the Corky and fun modern art that they have on display, which is always changing. During the time of our visit, they had some unusual artists. Always interesting to see what Kemper has available. It's also just a walk from the Nelson.
google avatar

Jes S.

Yelp
Amazing museum with tons of great art! Just across from the Nelson, this spot is often overlooked. Go here and eat brunch at their AMAZING restaurant!!
google avatar

Charles G.

Yelp
Although the museum itself is on the small side, its wide open, minimalist design makes it feel much larger, and the social consciousness evident in the collection of art on display during our visit was a welcome surprise given its location. That said, what really set this museum apart from others I've visited was the food offered by the in-house cafe. Our dinner was exquisite, to put it mildly, and we enjoyed being served in an environment marked by creative architecture and (ironically) more art than was in the museum itself. Our waiter informed us that the menu changes weekly, so telling you what we had won't be of much use, but if the fare on our visit was any indication of the general level of quality, there's little chance you'll leave disappointed.
google avatar

Matt E.

Yelp
I'm a big fan of this museum, but due to its size, it CAN be rather hit or miss. Their gallery space is quite limited, and only a small percentage of wall space seems to be dedicated to their permanent collection. If you're lucky, they'll have some Todd Hido photography on display. With a passion unknown to most, I love Todd Hido's photography. Anyhow, offtrack. The Kemper Museum has a constantly rotating series of exhibitions that I would say 80% of the time are quite excellent. An exhibition that I REALLY loved was David Bates: The Katrina Paintings. Now that I do a bit of research, I realize that show was almost 2 years ago! It's just really stuck with me, I guess. Don't worry, there's usually something quite good here. Awesome fact about the Kemper: totally free! KC is a great town for free art, and this should be on the heavy rotation. I think the Kemper should be on everybody's heavy rotation for sexy dates in KC. It's small enough to not be daunting, has an incredible and intimate restaurant (Cafe Sebastian) and....well it's an art museum! That just screams cultured and sophisticated and sexy.
google avatar

Melisa V.

Yelp
I went to the museum for their monthly Tots on Tuesday program this past week. While we've been before, this week's adventure really motivated me to review it and the museum. The program caters to preschool-aged children and this past week, there was a monsters theme. The fantastic storyteller read several monster-themed books and got all of the kids to participate. She also had the kids join her in several songs and talked about some of the art in the room where the storytime took place. After that portion of the program ended. we all went outside and the kids created their own monsters with materials they provided. They didn't rush anyone out once the hour was over either. How much did all of this cost? NOTHING!! This is one of the best kid-friendly programs I've discovered and it doesn't hurt that it's in such a beautiful museum. My three-year-old also enjoyed looking at many of the paintings and sculptures after the program ended. I think the size of the museum made it a lot less overwhelming for him than the Nelson typically is for him. I look forward to returning more frequently!!
google avatar

Claudia S.

Yelp
What a great stop. It's free, convenient, and you can have a quick look or take longer if you'd like. Some pieces stay, some change, so it's worth stopping in again if you haven't been for awhile.
google avatar

Amy R.

Yelp
I love everything about this museum. It's a perfect size with a perfect sized gift shop. This is a pretty time sensitive tidbit but the installation that is in the main gallery right now is contemporary arrt based on maps which is one of my favorite subject matters. I really relate to the regimented idea of maps and how beautiful and colorful they are. My favorite Saturday afternoon in a long time.