So, you are curious about the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, perhaps looking for a new place to experience thought-provoking artworks, or maybe you're just wondering what makes this spot so special. Well, you know, this museum, which is located in Overland Park, Kansas, actually serves as a really important cultural leader. It helps people get a deeper grasp of our world and, like, current issues through its diverse exhibitions and its impressive permanent collection.
This art museum, found on the campus of Johnson County Community College, is pretty well known for its commitment to contemporary art. It was named for its generous donors, Jerry and Margaret Nerman, who really helped bring this vision to life. Basically, it’s a place where art comes alive, and it’s meant to be an accessible educational environment for everyone, from students to long-time art lovers.
The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is, in a way, a free cultural destination right there in Overland Park, KS. It’s a public institution, and it truly features a top collection of both emerging and established artists. You can find out about its history, see its highlights, check the hours, learn about admission, and get details on its location and even parking. It's really quite a welcoming spot for anyone interested in modern artistic expressions.
Table of Contents
- A Look Inside the Nerman Museum's Collections
- Exhibitions and Featured Artists
- The Museum's Educational and Community Role
- Planning Your Visit to the Nerman Museum
- Practical Details for Your Trip
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Nerman Museum
A Look Inside the Nerman Museum's Collections
The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art holds a pretty significant permanent collection, which is actually central to its mission. This collection was formed by Johnson County Community College with the goal of advancing visual arts education and culture, and it really does a good job of that. You can explore the various focus areas within the collection, which include a strong art acquisition program that helps grow what they have on display.
A major part of the museum's holdings is the Oppenheimer Collection. This collection, you know, features works by artists who are regionally, nationally, and even internationally recognized. The museum’s permanent collection galleries, which are pretty much dedicated to this, showcase artworks in a really wide variety of media. It’s pretty impressive to see how diverse the pieces are, from paintings to sculptures and more.
For instance, you might see a piece like Brad Kahlhamer’s "Eagle Fest USA," an oil on canvas from 2005, which is quite large at 108 x 144 inches. This particular work is part of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Johnson County Community College collection, and it was a gift from Marti and Tony Oppenheimer and the Oppenheimer collection. Similarly, a piece by Dana Schutz, an oil on canvas measuring 75 x 91 inches, is also part of the collection, another gift from Marti and Tony Oppenheimer. These examples really show the caliber of art you can find there.
The Oppenheimer New Media Gallery, in particular, is named for Tony and Marti Oppenheimer, and it focuses on media-based art, which is, you know, very contemporary. Beyond that, the museum has specific selections from its permanent collection of American Indian art, which are on display in several designated museum galleries and sometimes within various special exhibitions. So, there’s quite a bit to explore, really.
Another interesting aspect of the permanent collection is its clay collection. Selections from the Nerman Museum’s clay collection are also on display in designated museum galleries and occasionally in special exhibitions. It’s quite neat to see how they highlight different mediums and cultural contributions. With nearly 400 works of art on permanent display across the campus, it’s fair to say that the installation of contemporary art from the JCCC collection is transforming the daily environment for students, visitors, and employees alike. It’s pretty cool how the museum/JCCC permanent collection, including all these varied pieces, just makes the whole campus a bit more artistic.
Exhibitions and Featured Artists
The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is quite active when it comes to presenting new art. They actually feature 16 exhibitions per year, which is a lot, you know. These exhibitions bring in international, national, and regional artists, giving visitors a really broad view of contemporary art. You can always see the dates, locations, and details of the current exhibitions on their listings.
For example, past exhibitions have included works by artists like Amy Kligman, Basil Kincaid, Katherine Bernhardt, Jeremy Scott, and Vanessa German, among many others. The museum often lists upcoming events and current exhibitions, so it’s easy to keep up with what’s new. You might have heard about "The Luminous and the Given," an artist talk and opening reception that happened on May 1st, with the exhibition on view through September. That's just one example of the sort of fresh content they regularly bring in.
There was also an exhibition by Elizabeth Layton, titled "Drawing as Discourse," which was on display in January. These kinds of specific shows really highlight the museum's commitment to showcasing a diverse range of artistic voices and styles. They consistently feature major exhibitions of internationally and nationally recognized artists, so there's always something fresh to see.
In August, for example, there were exhibitions like "15 The Elders" and another featuring Beth Watts Nelson and Kelly Hunt. These specific mentions from the past really show how varied the programming can be. You can always find out what current exhibitions are on display at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, which is pretty helpful for planning your visit.
The Museum's Educational and Community Role
The Nerman Museum is, in a way, more than just a place to look at art; it's a very accessible educational environment for students and patrons alike. Informative and interactive art appreciation tours are available, and these are designed to help people understand contemporary art, both in the current exhibitions and in the permanent collection that's on view throughout the campus. It’s a great way to really connect with the art.
You can even schedule a free art appreciation tour for your class, social group, or family, which is pretty neat. This really underscores the museum’s dedication to making art education available to a wide audience. Beyond tours, the museum also offers studio art classes for children, which are held on Saturdays during the school year and on weekdays during the summer. This is a wonderful opportunity for younger visitors to get hands-on experience with art.
The museum also hosts various events that foster community engagement and discussion. For instance, there was a "Career Conversations Coffee Break" on April 25th, where you could join Sherri Jacobs for a discussion about the field of art therapy. These kinds of events, you know, go beyond just viewing art and really open up conversations about the broader art world and its impact.
Celebrating a commitment to contemporary art, the museum often has special events, like one in September. These events, along with the consistent display of nearly 400 works of art across the campus, mean that the art is truly transforming the daily environment for everyone who spends time at Johnson County Community College. It's more than just a building; it's an active part of the educational and cultural fabric of the area.
Planning Your Visit to the Nerman Museum
From the moment you walk in, you'll likely be captivated by the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art museum's understated, yet architecturally powerful design. It's really quite striking. The museum is a free cultural destination in Overland Park, KS, which is a pretty big draw for many people. You can find out all sorts of practical details about your visit, like its history, highlights, hours, admission, location, and even parking.
The museum is open on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and admission is free, which is, you know, very convenient. It's a public institution on the campus of Johnson County Community College, so it's quite accessible. If you want to stay up-to-date on what's happening, you can join the Nerman Museum mailing list, which is a good way to get updates on new exhibitions and events.
You can visit the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art to see those 16 exhibitions per year, featuring international, national, and regional artists. It's a place where you can really enjoy the architecturally powerful design and the captivating artworks within. Just a little heads-up, the museum’s front entrance was currently closed at one point, so it’s always a good idea to check their current status before you head out.
Practical Details for Your Trip
When you are planning your trip to the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, it’s helpful to know the basics. The museum is located at 12345 College Blvd, which is pretty straightforward to find in Overland Park, KS. As mentioned, admission is free, which is a fantastic benefit for visitors looking to experience contemporary art without a cost barrier.
The typical museum hours are Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. It's closed on other days, so you know, plan accordingly. There's usually a list of upcoming events and current exhibitions that you can check to see what's happening during your visit. This helps you make the most of your time there.
Parking is usually available on the Johnson County Community College campus, which makes getting there by car quite easy. The museum is, in a way, integrated into the college environment, so you might see students moving about, too. It’s just a really vibrant place to be.
For those interested in deeper engagement, remember those free guided tours. You can schedule one for your class, social group, or even your family. It’s a great opportunity to get a guided look at the art and learn more about the artists.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Nerman Museum
Is admission free at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art?
Yes, actually, admission to the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is completely free. This makes it a very accessible cultural destination for everyone in Overland Park, KS, and beyond. You can just walk in and enjoy the art without any ticket cost.
What types of art can I expect to see at the Nerman Museum?
You can expect to see a wide range of contemporary art at the Nerman Museum. Their permanent collection and 16 annual exhibitions feature works by emerging and established artists, both international and national, and even regional talents. There are pieces in various media, including paintings, sculptures, new media art, American Indian art, and a notable clay collection.
Does the Nerman Museum offer educational programs or tours?
Yes, the Nerman Museum offers several educational opportunities. They provide informative, interactive art appreciation tours for classes, social groups, or families, which are also free. Additionally, the museum offers studio art classes for children on Saturdays during the school year and on weekdays in the summer, which is pretty neat.
So, if you are looking for a fantastic place to experience contemporary art, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is definitely worth a visit. Learn more about contemporary art on our site, and check out this page about upcoming art events. For more general art news, you might want to visit a respected art news site.
