Guided collection tours
Led by knowledgeable Nelson-Atkins docents, guided tours vary by theme and offer interactive journeys through the museum’s many collections. Tours are available on one of the following topics.
Featured Exhibition
Featured exhibitions offer focused, often exclusive looks at the work of a significant artist or subject. With a docent as your guide, dive deeper into the meaning and context behind the exhibition on view.
Collection Highlights
Explore the museum’s most significant works of art from across its collections in this lively, globe-spanning excursion. If you have a request for a specific collection to be included, please note it when you book the tour.
Real to Surreal
Travel through the social and political changes of the 19th and 20th centuries and chart the progression of European art from Realism to Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Modernism.
Religion in Art
Delve into the breadth and depth of some of the world’s most-practiced religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism. If you would like to focus on a specific religion or culture’s beliefs, please contact tours@nelson-atkins.org before you book your tour to confirm availability.
Sculpture Park
Discover the diversity of forms that modern and contemporary sculpture can take on this tour of our outdoor Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park. Please note that the park has winding, brick-paved paths that include inclines and may not be as accessible as others. If you would like to ensure an accessible route, please note that when you book the tour.
In the case of inclement weather, guests will tour conceptually similar works inside the museum.
Tour prices and details
Tours must be booked at least three weeks in advance. Each tour is approximately 75 minutes long.
A maximum of 15 participants are allowed per docent. Tours do not require a minimum number of participants.
Schedules
Weekdays
- Monday, Thursday: 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm
- Friday: same as Mondays and Thursdays, plus 4 pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7 pm
Weekends
- Saturday, Sunday: 10 am, 11 am, noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm
If one of these times does not work for you, please email tours@nelson-atkins.org for availability.
After submitting your booking request, you’ll receive an acknowledgement email.
Prices
- Standard tour: $100 per each group of 15
- Custom tour: $300 per each group of 15
Each payment is non-refundable and due in full at the time of booking.
Discounts
Nelson-Atkins members at the Member Plus level and above receive a 20% discount on tour bookings.
Tours organized by colleges and universities for degree-seeking students are free. Nelson-Atkins partners, non-profits, and groups with demonstrated need may be eligible for booking discounts. Email tours@nelson-atkins.org prior to booking your tour to determine discount eligibility.
Customize your tour
If you’re seeking a more specific topic or experience for your guided tour, you may inquire about booking a customized tour by emailing tours@nelson-atkins.org.
Accessibility tours
We offer free tours designed to fit the needs, abilities, and interests of people with disabilities.
American Sign Language (ASL) Tours
Tours for d/Deaf and hard of hearing visitors are available by request for groups and are offered to the public twice a year. Combining art, social history, and personal observation, each ASL tour is conducted by a Deaf Educator in American Sign Language only; no voice interpretation is provided. Due to limited capacity, we do not allow ASL students to attend.
Guests can also request a guided tour of the museum’s collection accompanied by a certified ASL interpreter. Please request three weeks in advance by emailing asl@nelson-atkins.org.
Verbal Description and Tactile Tours
Guests who are blind or partially-sighted are invited to explore the museum through guided tours with trained docents. Experiences include the approved touch of objects in the collection, verbal description of artworks in the galleries, and options for art-making workshops led by teaching artists. For Verbal Description and Tactile Tour inquiries, please contact communityprograms@nelson-atkins.org.
Minds in Motion Tours
In partnership with the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, the museum provides tours for those with memory loss and their care partners to explore art in a safe and caring environment, with specially trained docents sensitive to their interests and abilities. Tours are available for registration on the museum’s events calendar and occur the first Thursday of each month (unless otherwise noted).
Browse upcoming accessibility programs
Custom tours and programs
In certain cases, the Nelson-Atkins provides customized museum tours or programs by request, to fit the unique needs of a group.
Self-guided tours
Self-guided tours are free and allow groups of up to 40 participants to reserve time to explore specific collections at their own pace.
To ensure the best experience in the galleries, self-guided tour groups are asked to book their visit in advance. If your group arrives at the museum without pre-registering, you will need to fill out a self-guided visit form before taking your group into the galleries. In such circumstances, priority access will be given to guided tour groups that have booked in advance.
School field trips
In tours and workshops, school-aged students enjoy interactive, educational experiences throughout the museum.
Glass Labyrinth Experience
Closed for the season
Wander the illusive walls of Robert Morris’ sculpture Glass Labyrinth, located in the southeastern corner of the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park. Led by a museum docent, you’ll navigate the sculpture and learn about its history, intentions, and themes.
Details about ticketing and more will be available when the Glass Labyrinth reopens in 2025.