Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City

The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened its doors in 1994 in Kansas City, stands as the state's first and largest museum dedicated to contemporary art. The institution was founded by Bebe and R. Crosby Kemper Jr., whose personal collection forms the core of the museum's permanent holdings. In 2013, both founders stepped down from the museum's board, passing the leadership to their daughter, Mary Kemper Wolf, who took over as chairman. R. Crosby Kemper Jr. passed away the following year.

The Kemper Museum's permanent collection boasts over 1,400 works spanning from post-1913 Armory Showpieces to contemporary creations. The museum is known for its dynamic programming, hosting 10-12 special exhibitions annually, including both self-organized and traveling shows. The museum made headlines upon opening with an exhibition of Georgia O'Keeffe's "Canyon Suite"—a series of 28 watercolors from 1916-1918.

The museum's distinctive 23,200-square-foot building, designed by architect Gunnar Birkerts, was constructed between 1992 and 1994. The structure features a large central atrium illuminated by a striking skylight, flanked by two wings that house both rotating exhibitions from the permanent collection and year-round displays in the atrium and corridors. The San Francisco Chronicle praised Birkerts’ use of concrete, glass, and steel, noting the fluid, almost hand-shaped quality of the design. The main gallery hosts three major exhibitions each year, further solidifying the Kemper Museum's role as a vibrant space for contemporary art in Missouri.