KU News Release

Spencer Museum of Art establishes new gallery hours beginning Jan. 12

LAWRENCE — As part of universitywide efforts to reduce ongoing operating expenditures, the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas will implement new gallery hours beginning Tuesday, Jan. 12.

The museum’s galleries, currently open Tuesday-Sunday, will close one hour earlier each day. The new schedule:

— Closed Monday
— 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
— 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday
— Noon-4 p.m. Sunday

Admission to the Spencer Museum of Art remains free; donations are welcome.

Closing the galleries and turning off the lights an hour earlier each day will help reduce annual staffing and utility costs. These reductions are part of the museum’s response to requests from the Kansas Legislature that the university reduce costs.

The Spencer Museum of Art remains committed to offering exceptional programs and exhibitions, and will continue to improve its abilities to provide responsive, tailored experiences for patrons. One example of this in-depth service is the popular Walk-ins Welcome Fridays program in the Print Study Room, which provides patrons with weekly opportunities to view works on paper and photographs — without appointment. Each Friday, the Print Study Room is open for “walk-in” visitors from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Guided tours are another service for patrons that the Museum continues to refine. A convenient way to schedule a tour is through the museum Web site, www.spencerart.ku.edu/information/tours.shtml.

The tours program, supported in part by the generosity of the Ethel & Raymond F. Rice Foundation and the Hallmark Corporate Foundation, provides a customized experience of the museum’s diverse collection. The museum’s trained volunteer docents conduct guided tours that last approximately one hour and are free of charge, though donations are accepted. Larger groups are divided into groups of no more than 15 per guide. Discussion between the docent and museum visitors is encouraged. After scheduling, please contact museum immediately if you will not be able to keep your appointment or if the size of your group changes considerably.

Guided tours cover portions of the museum’s permanent collection as well as special exhibitions. The Spencer Museum of Art offers tours pertaining to multiple disciplines, including foreign-language groups, religious groups, and various other areas within the liberal arts. Specialty tours tailored to address a specific theme of interest to a group are available. To allow time for preparation, at least three weeks advance notice is required when scheduling a specialty tour.

The museum asks that groups make reservations at least two weeks in advance for a guided tour. Self-guided groups of 10 people or more should also make an appointment for their visit to ensure that there is adequate space in the galleries.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.