SAVE THE DATE
Passport to India
Apr 27, 2025
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 and inspired by the navarasa, or nine emotions of the Sanskrit language.
Registration
Although the festival is free, registration is required. You may register when you get here, but for convenience we suggest registering in advance.
Free offsite parking
From 9:15 am-5 pm, free parking will be available at the UMKC Cherry Street Parking Structure, located at 5005 Oak Street. Free shuttles will transport guests from the Cherry Street side of the structure. Accessible transportation for guests with disabilities will be provided.
Schedule
Program details subject to change.
Nelson-Atkins Building:
Opening Dance
10-10:10 am | Outside, south stairs
Dance Performance
11:20-11:35 am | Outside, south stairs
Rangoli Activity
10 am-4 pm | Classroom 4 & 5
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, depicting stories of emotions.
Gallery Learning Stations
Visit the Asian art galleries and discuss works of art with museum guides and community members.
Mapping the Heavens
10 am–noon | Gallery 203
Heroes Revealed: Storytelling in Asian Art
11 am–1 pm | Gallery 222
Shiva Nataraja, The Lord of Dance
Noon–2 pm | Gallery 228
Guanyin of the Southern Sea
1–3 pm | Gallery 230 (ASL interpretation provided)
Casing Slab from Buddhist Stupa
2–4 | Gallery 226
Bloch Building
Zine Art Activity
10 am-4 pm | Lens 2
1-4 pm | Spencer Art Reference Library
Create your own zine inspired by the art and stories you experienced at the festival.
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.
Welcome & Writing Activity
11 am–2 pm | Bloch Lobby
Volunteers from the India Association of Kansas City write your name in Hindi, Bengali, or Kannada languages of South and Southeast Asia.
Explore more of the Nelson-Atkins with our Digital Family Gallery Guide, which features activities and information about the museum’s art and galleries.
Food and Drinks
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–4 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.
Gallery guidelines
To ensure the safety and preservation of the art, we ask all Nelson-Atkins visitors to follow three primary rules when they come to the museum:
- Stay at least two feet from the art. Please do not touch, lean on, or sit on the art, including outdoor sculptures and the reflecting pool.
- No backpacks in the galleries. We offer free coat and bag check in the Bloch Building lobby. Backpacks should be checked or worn on the front.
- No food or drink in the galleries. Guests are permitted to eat outdoors and in designated indoor dining areas.
Thank you
Support for the festival is provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.
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
Thank you to the Nelson-Atkins Teen Council for selecting the festival playlist heard.
Thank you to the India Association of Kansas City for being a promotional partner for this event.
Thank you to the many museum and community volunteers for their support of this event, including Usha Saha, Sunitha Prabhushankar, and Hema Sharma.
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