TOPEKA – The Mulvane Art Museum recently received three grants from the Kansas Arts Commission for 2008-09. The grants were $8,007 for operational support, $7,500 for the Art Resources in Topeka (ART) Arts in Early Education programs and $7,500 for the (ART) Arts Beginning in Childhood programs. A portion of funds from the Kansas Arts Commission are provided by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

The Mulvane Art Museum, founded in 1922 with a bequest from Joab Mulvane, is located on the campus of Washburn University. It is one of the oldest art museums west of the Mississippi River.

Accredited by the American Association of Museums in 1998, the Museum houses a collection of approximately 3,000 objects from around the world including paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs and decorative arts. While international in scope, the Museum’s collection focuses on the works of artists from Kansas and the Midwest and has a concentration in American art of the 20th century. In addition to showing selected works from the permanent collection the Museum also maintains a dynamic program of special exhibitions.

The Museum provides exhibits and programs for 14,500 visitors on an annual basis and its education program, known as Art Resources for Topeka (ART), provides extensive outreach to more than 4,000 children at after school sites, public and private school classrooms and preschool centers throughout the region. In-house art classes, public lectures, family events and community educational experiences for people of all ages and abilities are also offered.

The Mulvane Art Museum is located on the campus of Washburn University, at 17th and Jewell. Parking is available directly to the west of the Museum.