If you’re a fan of contemporary art and are either located in or traveling to Overland Park, KS, you should check out the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and see what it has to offer. This museum features one of the top collections that has been internationally acclaimed and showcases emerging and established artists today.
Specifying what makes this museum so great by mentioning the sculptures, photographs, paintings, ceramics, and works on paper located throughout the museum, the magazine Public Art Review listed the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art as one of the top 10 campuses for public art in America. With such accolades accredited to them, it’s pretty easy to see why this museum is such an exciting establishment. The most predominant exhibitions of cutting-edge contemporary art are presented here.
The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art was opened in 2007 and experienced instant recognition both nationally and internationally due to its architecture, educational programming, exhibitions and collection. The museum is known for being one of the region’s most significant cultural destinations, according to its website, and attracts an annual 100,000 visitors. It can be found on the Johnson County Community College’s (JCCC) campus.
The Johnson County Community College is located in Overland Park and is highly regarded in the region for its visual and performing arts and is home to the museum. This museum plays an important role in the college and is a public institution governed by JCCC.
The idea and construction for the museum began in 2003 when Jerry and Margaret Nerman, prominent contemporary art collectors in the area, pledged $1.5 million to the development of the museum on the JCCC campus. In turn, the museum was named after them. Many people and a few foundations assisted in the funding of the $15 million project including the M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
The structure is clothed in Kansas Limestone and was designed by the architect Kyu Sung Woo whose style is very simple and elegant. It is two levels high and includes 11 extensive galleries for exhibitions being shown temporarily as well as the permanent collection. Not only does the building house art galleries, it also has a 200 seat auditorium, a cafe, two classrooms, as well as art storage and preparation space. Within the museum are two lobbies, one as you enter the cantilever entrance, which features an exquisite 60,000 white LED installation by the artist Leo Villarea,l and the other being the glass and metal Atrium lobby.
The museum’s permanent collections are on display throughout the exhibitions in designated areas and almost 400 works of art span the campus to encourage interaction with art everyday. Permanent collections include American Indian, Latino, Clay, New Media, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Student, and Works on Paper. The museum also offers educational opportunities. Programs and resources are available to all students as well as members of the broader community. Youth and family programs are also available for those who might be a little younger, but still want to learn.
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Map from Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art to WilsonHaag:
Map from Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art to Roe Park: