Passport to India
Apr 19, 2026
10:00 am
–
4:00 pm
Free
Museum admission includes entry to Passport to India
South and Southeast Asian cultures come to the Nelson-Atkins at this radiant cultural festival.
Enjoy vibrant artmaking, performances, and storytelling based in South and Southeast Asian cultures.
Free registration
General admission to the museum and festival is free. Although you may register for admission upon arrival, we encourage advance registration for a more convenient check-in experience.
Parking
The Nelson-Atkins parking garage is located at 45th and Oak streets. Parking is $14 per vehicle or free for museum members and guests with ADA placards.
Festival Schedule
Program details subject to change
Nelson-Atkins Building
Dance Performances
10:30-11:15 am | 11:45 am-12:45 pm | 1-2 pm | 2:15-3:30 pm*
Kirkwood Hall
Local groups perform in various dance styles, including folk, semi-classical, fusion, Bhangra, Bollywood, Sandalwood, Tollywood, and Kollywood.
*A choreographed fashion show concludes the final dance performance.
Dance Performances
10:30-11:15 am | Noon-12:45 pm | 1:30-2:15 pm | 3-3:45 pm
Atkins Auditorium
Live performances from dance groups in classical and semi-classical styles inspired by the theme of storytelling.
Rangoli Activity
10 am-4 pm | Classroom 5
Using colored sand, create geometric and floral patterns inspired by art in the museum’s collection.
Native Plant Learning Station
10 am-2 pm | Classroom 4
Learn about native flowers and nature journaling from The Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center.
Gallery Learning Stations
10 am-4 pm | Galleries 203 & 228
Explore and discuss art in the South Asian galleries with museum guides, including the new exhibition Farhad Ostovani: Goldberg Variations.
Henna Designs Demonstration & Interactive book displays
Noon–4 pm | Educator Resource Center
Bloch Building
Rangoli display
10 am-4 pm
Bloch Lobby, Lobby Level
Art Activity
10 am-4 pm | Lens 2
1-4 pm | Spencer Art Reference Library
Welcome spring by making a colorful kite decoration inspired by the traditional kites of India.
Story Time: Celebrating Spring with Youth Storytellers 11:15-11:30 am & 11:45 am-noon | Spencer Art Reference Library
Sensory Break Room
10 am–4 pm | Rockhill Room
Need a break from the crowds? Relax with various fidget items and enjoy the quiet in our calming sensory break room. Free earplugs are available at the Accommodations & Coat Check desk in Bloch Lobby.
Name Writing & Book Viewing Activities
1-4 pm | Spencer Art Reference Library
Volunteers from the India Association of Kansas City write your name in Hindi, Bengali, or Kannada languages. View examples of 17th-century art and calligraphy from India’s Mughal Dynasty.
Live music
10:30–11 am, 11:45 am –12:15 pm, 1–1:30 pm & 2:15–2:45 pm | Bloch Lobby
Enjoy traditional string and percussion music.
Food and Drink
11 am-3 pm | Bloch Building Lobby
Purchase á la carte South and Southeast Asian cuisine (while supplies last).
Lunch: 11 am-2 pm | Coffee and dessert: 2-4 pm
Rozzelle Court Restaurant
Order South and Southeast Asian-inspired entrees and small plates. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options are available.
Free festival pins for members
10 am–5 pm | Bloch Lobby Info Desk
Members can stop by to claim their free, limited-edition Passport to India enamel pin. To collect your pin, present your member card. If you’re not a member, learn more about membership opportunities.
Help us Protect the Art
Please help us protect the art by following these important guidelines:
View art from two feet, but don’t touch (even outdoors)
Enjoy food or drinks in designated areas only
Wear backpacks in front of your body or use our free coat check
Special Thanks to
Support for the festival is provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.
Thank you to local community organizations as well as our promotional partner, the India Association of Kansas City.
Thank you to the many museum and community volunteers for their support of this event, including Usha Saha, Sunitha Prabhushankar, and Hema Sharma.
Members — the art and soul of the museum — and volunteers, whose support makes festivals like this possible. To learn more, visit the Info Desk or our website: ArtAndSoulKC.org
Share your pictures with us
After the festival, we’ll release official event photos on Flickr.
If you take photos, tag us!
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
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