The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is the smart, quiet counterpart to the grand Nelson-Atkins, and admission is always free. It stands at 4420 Warwick Boulevard, beside the Country Club Plaza, and it combines a permanent collection with rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Docent tours of the exhibits and the collection are available, which is a good way to make unfamiliar work easier to read. A restaurant called Oil on Linen, led by Chef Ted Habiger, is recommended for lunch or brunch near the museum, so you can build a relaxed art-and-meal morning. Because the Kemper is free and compact, it is easy to fit in between a Plaza meal and a Nelson-Atkins visit, and it works on a rainy day when you want something calm. The museum suits couples, art lovers, students on a budget and anyone who wants a short, uncrowded cultural stop. It is not a blockbuster, so treat it as a rewarding hour or two rather than a half-day commitment.
Opening days
The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and stays open late on Thursday, but published hours are not consistent, so check the museum’s own calendar before you travel. Because the Nelson-Atkins is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Wednesday is the one weekday when the Kemper is open and its larger neighbour is not, which is worth knowing when you plan around closing days.
What to see
The museum shows a rotating programme, so the exhibitions change, and it also shows work from its permanent collection. If you like a guided introduction, ask about docent tours. The visit is easy for most ages, though contemporary art is often best enjoyed by older children and adults who like to look and talk. There is on-site motorcoach parking noted for groups, and the Plaza garages nearby are free, so visiting without a car is simple.
Pairing it with the Plaza
The museum is a short walk or drive from the Nelson-Atkins and the Plaza’s shops, fountains and restaurants. The Marriott on the Plaza is about a two-minute walk from the Kemper, and the Nelson-Atkins is about five minutes from that hotel. A good day combines the Nelson-Atkins in the morning, lunch on the Plaza and the Kemper in the afternoon, and finishes with a drink in the Plaza before the lights come on in the evening.
What to expect
The experience
A free contemporary art museum with a permanent collection, rotating exhibitions and docent tours, close to the Country Club Plaza.
Best time
Afternoons, after a morning at the Nelson-Atkins, and Wednesdays when the Nelson-Atkins is closed.
How long
One to two hours.
Tips
The museum is listed as closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and published hours differ, so check its calendar first.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art lovers, couples and budget travellers who want a calm, free museum.
- Families
- Best for older children and teenagers, and free to try for an hour.
- Couples
- A quiet art stop, followed by dinner on the Plaza.
- Pair with
- The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Country Club Plaza.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Is the Kemper Museum free?+
Yes, admission is always free.
Where is the Kemper Museum?+
It is at 4420 Warwick Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, beside the Country Club Plaza.
Which days is it closed?+
The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Check the museum’s calendar for current hours.
Are there guided tours?+
Docent tours of the exhibits and the collection are offered.
Where can I eat nearby?+
Oil on Linen is recommended for lunch or brunch, and the Country Club Plaza has many more restaurants.
