Welcome to the Wichita Art Museum, also known as WAM, a premier cultural destination located in Wichita, Kansas. If you appreciate creative heritage, you will love exploring a facility that is exclusively focused on American art. The museum traces its origins back to 1915, established through Louise Caldwell Murdock's will to create the Roland P.
Murdock Collection in memory of her husband. Though the original Clarence Stein-designed building opened in 1935, its collection has grown remarkably over the decades thanks to dedicated curation, including work by Elizabeth Stubblefield Navas through 1962. Today, WAM boasts an impressive collection of over 12,000 items, with a curated selection showcased across 31,500 square feet of galleries.
As you walk through the expansive 115,000-square-foot facility, you will experience a thoughtful architectural journey shaped by major expansions in 1963, 1977 by Edward Larrabee Barnes, and 2003. You will also enjoy the refreshed, modern feel of the main entrance and lobby, which underwent a complete renovation finished in 2020. Whether you are discovering the foundational Murdock Collection or browsing the expansive modern galleries, WAM offers you an enriching encounter with American artistic tradition right in the heart of Kansas.
What to see at Wichita Art Museum
- Exclusively focused on American art
- Collection comprising over 12,000 items
- 31,500 square feet of gallery display space
- Historic Roland P. Murdock Collection
- Renovated main entrance and lobby
Visiting tips
Take your time exploring the selection of American art displayed across 31,500 square feet of gallery space.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Wichita Art Museum is easy to reach on Wichita’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Sedgwick County Zoo. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Wichita travel guide.
See the full Wichita travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.