News
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.
Thu, 10/15/2026
Art exhibition at KU Medical Center highlights healthy aging, partnership with Spencer Museum
An art exhibition opening at the University of Kansas Medical Center this week uses visual, sound and interactive elements to explore age-friendly healthcare. The show is the result of a partnership with the Spencer Museum of Art to embed Kansas artists within the Kansas 4M Interprofessional Age Friendly Scholars program.
Wed, 10/07/2026
Spencer Museum’s Backyard Bash returns Oct. 11 to celebrate art and nature in Marvin Grove
The Spencer Museum of Art Backyard Bash, an outdoor and indoor celebration of art and nature, returns from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11. The free, all-ages community event will take place at the museum as well as in KU’s historic Marvin Grove.
Mon, 08/17/2026
Spencer Museum’s ‘Looking After’ exhibition reflects on art’s role in education, learning
A new exhibition at the Spencer Museum of Art, "Looking After: Art and Care in Education Across Kansas," features more than 80 artworks from its collection that are used in education initiatives to inspire creativity while supporting the academic standards of Kansas. Visitors are invited to explore the many ways that art can facilitate and enrich learning.
Mon, 08/03/2026
Spencer Museum announces KU Common Work of Art for 2026-2027
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas has selected the painting “Winter Flight” by Kay WalkingStick as the KU Common Work of Art for the 2026-2027 academic year. The painting complements themes from the KU Reads book, “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey.
Wed, 06/10/2026
KU and community partners publish postcards celebrating the life of Langston Hughes in Lawrence
The University of Kansas and community organizations, along with KU faculty members Tim Hossler and Elise Kirk, have published a set of 10 postcards about the experiences of Langston Hughes while he lived in Lawrence. Community members can pick up postcards for free at locations on the Lawrence campus and around town.
Mon, 06/08/2026
KU’s Spencer Museum welcomes the world with installation, programs for summer of soccer
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas has a special installation highlighting art from the countries playing and staying in the Kansas City area this summer for the world’s premier international soccer competition.
Thu, 04/23/2026
Spencer Museum announces 2026 Brosseau Creativity Award recipients
The Spencer Museum of Art has awarded four KU undergraduate students from Kansas with Brosseau Creativity Awards, which honor innovative and risk-taking creative work in any area of study.
Thu, 02/19/2026
Japanese painting tradition meets street materials in new exhibition
The many lives of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani: The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas has brought together the largest collection of work by the beloved street artist in an exhibition opening Feb. 19.
Tue, 02/17/2026
Spencer Museum’s spring exhibitions explore richness of Japanese and Asian American art
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas will open two special exhibitions Feb. 19 that feature contemporary work by Japanese and Japanese American artists.
Wed, 11/12/2025
‘Prairie Prophecy’ documentary shares life, vision of KU alumnus Wes Jackson
A free screening of the documentary “Prairie Prophecy” on Nov. 21 will share the work of innovative scientist, farmer and co-founder of The Land Institute Wes Jackson. A panel discussion with University of Kansas scholars will follow the screening.
Tue, 10/14/2025
Spencer Museum of Art curator aims to stimulate growing interest in Amazon
A bequest of 20th century Peruvian Amazonian artworks has advanced a Spencer Museum of Art curator’s plan for an exhibition focusing on the rainforest region, bolstering KU’s reputation as center for scholarship.
Wed, 10/01/2025
Lawrence creatives among recipients of 2025 Rocket Grants for community-driven art projects
Charlotte Street and the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas have announced the 10 recipients of the 2025-2026 Rocket Grants awards, a re-granting program of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
Thu, 09/11/2025
Spencer Museum of Art announces success of $2 million challenge grant to support its Arts Research Integration Program
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas today announced the completion of a $2 million challenge grant for its Arts Research Integration (ARI) initiative, bringing total fundraising to endow and fund this visionary program to $5 million.
Wed, 08/20/2025
Curator links Spencer Museum of Art, community in upcoming exhibitions
The work Sydney Pursel has been doing behind the scenes as curator for public practice at the Spencer Museum of Art will come to fruition with two upcoming exhibitions: “My Mother's Tongue Ties Me Together,” opening Aug. 26, and “Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe: Return of the Sacred Red Rock,” opening Sept. 9.
Mon, 08/18/2025
Spencer Museum of Art exhibition ‘Soundings’ lets viewers imagine the ocean
“Soundings,” a fall exhibition at the University of Kansas Spencer Museum of Art, has dual meaning, referring both to measuring the depth of the ocean and to exploring the museum’s resources.
Mon, 08/11/2025
Spencer Museum’s fall exhibitions showcase art of the sea, regional artists and the Sacred Red Rock
This fall the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas will present three special exhibitions, beginning with “Soundings: Making Culture at Sea,” which opens Aug. 12. Additional exhibitions open Aug. 26 and Sept. 9.
Mon, 05/12/2025
Spencer Museum, Charlotte Street announce Rocket Grants 2025 call for artists
The Spencer Museum of Art and Charlotte Street have announced the 2025 open call for Rocket Grants, with applications accepted through June 25. An information session will be held May 15 at the Spencer Museum for artists interested in applying.
Wed, 05/07/2025
Spencer Museum announces KU Common Work of Art for 2025-2026
The Spencer Museum of Art has announced “Haunted by the Ghosts of Our Own Making” by Hollis Sigler as the KU Common Work of Art for the 2025-2026 academic year. The painting complements the KU Reads book, “The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet” by John Green.
Tue, 04/29/2025
Spencer Museum announces 2025 Brosseau Creativity Award recipients
The Spencer Museum of Art recognized five University of Kansas undergraduate students for their outstanding creative work with the 2025 Brosseau Creativity Awards.
Thu, 02/13/2025
Spencer Museum’s new exhibition highlights how 'Bold Women' have changed art and society
Opening Feb. 18 at the Spencer Museum of Art, “Bold Women” explores how women have pushed the boundaries of art and spurred social and cultural change across generations and geographies. The exhibition showcases more than 75 works of art by nearly 50 artists in a variety of mediums including photography, video, installations, textiles, paintings and sculpture.
Tue, 09/10/2024
Three Lawrence-based artists among recipients of 2024 Rocket Grants
The 2024 Rocket Grants have awarded a total of $60,000 for 10 artist projects in the Lawrence and Kansas City area. Three awards support Lawrence-based artists, while a fourth supports a KU lecturer in visual art.
Wed, 08/28/2024
Spencer Museum’s ‘Native Fashion’ exhibition explores diversity, ingenuity of Indigenous style and dress
“Native Fashion,” which opens Sept. 1 at the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas, explores the diversity and ingenuity of wearable artworks produced by Native people from the 19th century into today.
Mon, 05/13/2024
Spencer Museum, Charlotte Street announce Rocket Grants 2024 call for artists
Rocket Grants fund artists in the Lawrence and Kansas City area who are creating exceptional, under-the-radar and artist-centered projects in public spaces. The Spencer Museum will offer an information session at 6 p.m. May 23. Applications are due June 24.
Tue, 05/07/2024
Spencer Museum announces 2024 Brosseau Creativity Award recipients
The awards honor innovative and risk-taking creative work in the categories of writing and diverse media from KU undergraduate students in any area of study. The winners are Laryn Anne Elliott-Langford and Matthew Kurniawan. Alice Lubin-Meyer received an honorable mention.
Tue, 04/09/2024
Spencer Museum to host event with the Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., cousin of Emmett Till
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas will host a public event with the Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., cousin and childhood best friend of Emmett Till, in conjunction with the traveling exhibition “Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See.” The event will take place at 6 p.m. April 24 at the Spencer Museum. Seating is limited; free tickets are required.
Tue, 02/06/2024
New exhibitions at Spencer Museum explore legacy of Emmett Till and racial justice
The Spencer Museum of Art is set to open two exhibitions Feb. 9 that explore race in U.S. history, from the Civil Rights Movement to racial justice movements today.
Thu, 11/09/2023
Spencer Museum acquires paintings by Dread Scott and Fahamu Pecou
LAWRENCE — The Spencer Museum of Art has acquired major works by artists Dread Scott and Fahamu Pecou. The two paintings are currently on view at the museum as part of the exhibition “Black Writing,” which explores the power, politics and complexities of language in contemporary Black culture. The exhibition,...
Tue, 08/08/2023
Spencer Museum commissions new painting for KU Common Work of Art
LAWRENCE — The Spencer Museum of Art commissioned artist Fahamu Pecou to create “Parable of the Sower: Oya’s Dream” as the KU Common Work of Art for the 2023-2024 academic year. The painting is Pecou’s response to the KU Common Book, “Parable of the Sower,” by Octavia Butler. ...