From the Canvas to the Stage

Kansas is home to a variety of artistic havens, so it’s no surprise that our galleries and art museums are some of the best around. From grassroots and folk art to internationally renowned works, our variety of options for viewing classical to contemporary and everything in between means there’s no shortage of opportunities to dive into the art world.

With a collection including more than 10,000 works of art, the largest art museum in the state is the Wichita Art Museum — not to be confused with the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Overland Park, which, at 38,000 feet, is the largest contemporary art museum in the 4 state area. At the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art in Manhattan, you’ll find the biggest collection of work anywhere by Kansas artist John Steuart Curry, and in Lawrence, the Spencer Museum of Art boasts eleven different galleries displaying diverse art objects and works of cultural significance. And, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Galleries showing local work can be found throughout the state as well, in hubs like Strawberry Hill, NOTO, Lindsborg and more. From the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery to Curiouser KC, explore the hundreds of galleries and museums with Kansas Tourism’s comprehensive database.

Whether you’re looking for a taste of the local music scene or a show-stopping performance from your favorite artist, you’ll find it in Kansas. Jazz or country, bluegrass or rock, indie or classical – no matter your preferred genre, we’ve got the shows, venues and festivals to deliver.

Looking for a show under the stars? Head to Bonner Springs for the Azura Amphitheater, one of the largest open-air amphitheaters in the country with a seating capacity of over 18,000. In Wichita’s Old Town district, find The Brickyard, the city’s premier outdoor music venue. More of a history buff? The C.L. Hoover Opera House, known as ”The Jewel of the Prairie,” has brought top-class performances to Junction City since 1882. Or, try the Emporia Granada Theatre, erected in 1929 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. If you prefer a sleeker option, don’t worry, we’ve got that too: the INTRUST Bank Arena is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue that hosts global sensations with the industry’s best sound system. There are plenty of intimate spots too, like The Bottleneck in Lawrence, Green Guitar Folk House in Lenexa or The Hat in Manhattan.

Kansas is also home to some of the most iconic music festivals in the world. For three days each year, Country Stampede comes to Topeka, hosting the biggest names in the genre and drawing the most enthusiastic fans to its 400-acre campus. Of course, there’s also the Sunflower Music Festival, an annual ten-day event that brings orchestras, chamber ensembles and jazz to Washburn University completely free of charge. For over fifty years, the Walnut Valley Festival has brought four days of folk, bluegrass, Americana and more to Winfield, along with activities and contests, including the National Flat-Picking Championship. Dancefestopia, The Dam Jam and Symphony in the Flint Hills are just a few more festivals that span the gamut of genres.

The performing arts thrive in Kansas, where on any given night, you’ll find live theater, ballet, Broadway-style musicals and interactive performances throughout our biggest cities. Enjoy a night at the opera at the award-winning, historic McPherson Opera House, hear the Salina Symphony at their home venue, the Stiefel Theatre, enjoy professional theater at Great Plains Theatre in Abilene or The Orpheum in Wichita, and at the Topeka Performing Arts Center, find ballet, film festivals and live music in addition to plays. The arts are alive in our small towns too, as you’ll find local theaters and troupes engaging the community and offering residents the chance to perform or support the arts. Discover the many performing arts venues that our state has to offer with Kansas Tourism’s extensive guide.