Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver

The Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, located in Denver, is a unique institution that combines fine art with decorative art, offering visitors a rich and diverse cultural experience. The museum is renowned for its three principal collections, which include an international decorative art collection, a regional art collection with a strong emphasis on Colorado artists, and a comprehensive retrospective of works by Vance Kirkland, a prominent painter and educator in the region.

The museum's history is closely tied to its namesake, Vance Kirkland (1904–1981), whose original studio and art school building form a central part of the museum. This historic structure, built in 1911 in the Arts & Crafts style by architects Maurice Biscoe and Henry Hewitt, is the oldest commercial art building in Denver and the second oldest in Colorado. The building's preservation as part of the museum is a testament to its cultural and architectural significance.

In March 2018, the Kirkland Museum reopened in a new, larger building on Bannock Street in Denver's Golden Triangle Creative District, a move that allowed the museum to expand its exhibition space by approximately 65%. The new facility continues to honor the museum's distinctive "salon style" display, where artworks and decorative pieces are shown together in dense, room-like settings, offering visitors an immersive and intimate viewing experience. This move has enabled the museum to showcase an even broader array of its extensive collection, which includes over 3,500 decorative art pieces and 400 paintings and sculptures.

The Kirkland Museum stands out not only for its impressive collections but also for its dedication to preserving the legacy of Vance Kirkland and the broader art and design heritage of Colorado and beyond. It remains a vital part of Denver's cultural landscape, attracting art enthusiasts from around the world.