Wichita Art Museum
Explore American artistic heritage at the Wichita Art Museum (WAM), a cultural hub offering galleries of American art, ever rotating exhibitions, an outdoor Art Garden, programming for all ages and a creative space just for kids. WAM, set among the Museums on the River, connects people while encouraging the development of ideas and imagination through the inspiration of art.
What to Expect
As you approach the Wichita Art Museum, one of the first things you’ll notice is the 15-foot-tall Dreamers Awake sculpture by Tom Otterness. It’s one of about a dozen large-scale sculptures in the Art Garden, which is accessible 24 hours a day. The 8 acres surrounding the building, along the Little Arkansas River are landscaped with hundreds of trees, shrubs, and indigenous grasses, ideal for taking in the works in a tranquil, natural setting.
When you enter the building, two dramatic and large-scale works by Dale Chihuly await. Look up once inside the building to see his Persian Seaform, then walk across the installation via a transparent glass bridge when you get to the second floor. The artist's Confetti Chandelier hangs in the S. Jim and Darla Farha Great Hall as you make your way to the main galleries.
Noteworthy Exhibits & Events
WAM opened in 1935 and now boasts more than 10,000 artworks in its collection, making it one of the largest art museums in Kansas. Their collection includes works of art by Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Charles Russell, Louise Nevelson and Kehinde Wiley, among others.
Wichita Art Museum exhibits are continually rotating artworks on display and hosting traveling exhibition. Guided tours, lectures and other programming allow visitors to dive deeper into the art and engage with the museum’s’ curators.
Their storytime sessions and ArtVenture days are just a few of WAM’s youth and family-oriented events. PLAY is a drop-in space for families to explore and create together, with free activities connected to works on display. For more information, we suggest checking in with their welcome desk to learn more about hands-on activities for kids.
Tickets, Hours & More
General admission at WAM is always free, while some special exhibitions require tickets. The galleries and WAM’s gift shop are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Fridays.
Parking is free. There is accessible parking as well as designated wheelchair accessible routes within the museum.
Ready to explore the art scene in Wichita? Learn more about our art museums and galleries.
