Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art
Welcome to the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art. Explore here and then plan a visit to the Beach. Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome.
Mission
what we do
The Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art furthers the teaching, research, and service missions of Kansas State University by collecting, studying, caring for, and presenting the visual art of Kansas and the region. The Museum's exhibitions and programs expand its collecting focus by connecting regional art, culture, and interests with the larger world.
Vision
what is meaningful about our work
The regional art in our collections - as well as art generally - provides a rich terrain for discussion across disciplines. We present encounters with art as opportunities for exploring human experience.
Impact
result of our work on audiences served
- Individuals think anew about personal experiences, sense of place, and the world of knowledge.
History of the museum
For many decades Kansas State University's art collection was housed in campus public spaces and offices. The focus was art from Kansas and the region. As part of the university's 1990Essential Edge campaign, K-State First Lady Ruth Ann Wefald led the efforts to raise private funds to build a 26,000 square foot museum on the southeast corner of campus. The Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, made possible with a generous lead gift from Ross and Marianna Beach of Hays, Kansas, opened in the fall of 1996. Mr. Beach named the museum in honor of his wife in celebration of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary.
The museum's collection had grown from less than 1,500 pieces of art when it opened in 1996 to over 7,000 objects. The collection continues to focus on art of Kansas and the region. In addition to free gallery displays and special exhibitions, the museum presents public programs and educational programs for audiences of all ages. Annual attendance exceeds 30,000 visitors, of which approximately 30% are students, 30% are University students, faculty, and staff, and 40% are general visitors. The museum was accredited by the American Association of Museums - now called the American Alliance of Museums - in April 2003.
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