Press Room
View press releases and download high-resolution images. Members of the press seeking more information about exhibitions and programs, interviews with Museum staff, or images should contact Director of External Affairs Elizabeth Kanost.
Please note: Appointments are required to take professional photography or video or to use tripods and other equipment in the galleries. Personal photography without equipment is permitted, but do not use flash or selfie sticks.
Press releases
Spencer Museum announces KU Common Work of Art for 2022–2023
The Spencer Museum of Art has selected an untitled “sounding sculpture” by Harry Bertoia as the KU Common Work of Art for the 2022–2023 academic year. The sculpture, which was designed to be touched, seen and heard, connects to themes of access in the KU Common Book “Disability Visibility” edited...
Spencer Museum of Art receives $3 million gift to endow Arts Research Integration
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas has received a $3 million gift from Kansas City-based donor Margaret H. Silva to endow Arts Research Integration (ARI), a groundbreaking initiative that brings artists into a wide range of research processes through interdisciplinary collaborations. Additionally, Silva has offered to...
Spencer Museum announces 2022 Brosseau Creativity Award recipients
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas has announced the 2022 recipients of the Jack & Lavon Brosseau Creativity Awards. Established by benefactor Lavon Brosseau in 2011, the awards honor innovative and risk-taking creative work in the categories of writing and diverse media from KU undergraduate students...
Spencer Museum, Charlotte Street Foundation relaunch Rocket Grants
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas and Charlotte Street Foundation have announced the return of Rocket Grants with the call for artists opening May 13. ...
Spencer Museum announces Sydney Pursel as new curator for public practice
Spencer Museum receives $1.4M from Department of Education to help Kansas teachers bring art into their classrooms
The Spencer Museum of Art has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a five-year project collaborating with K-12 educators across Kansas to integrate art and art therapy into their classroom teaching. This is the largest federal grant the University of Kansas has ever...
Spencer Museum’s annual Backyard Bash features student installations in Marvin Grove
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas announces its sixth annual Backyard Bash, which opens Oct. 21 and remains on view in Marvin Grove through Nov. 12. Part exhibition, part festival, the Backyard Bash celebrates the interplay of nature, culture and the character of community in Marvin...
Spencer Museum opens Oct. 15 with never before exhibited works
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas will reopen its galleries Oct. 15 with a new exhibition featuring works of art from the collection that have never been displayed. ...
