Andrew W. Mellon Department of Academic Programs

With an internationally known collection that is deep and diverse, the Spencer Museum of Art’s holdings currently number more than 38,000 artworks and artifacts in all media. These extensive resources make the SMA uniquely positioned to encourage interdisciplinary exploration at the intersection of art, ideas, and experience. Our mission is to strengthen, support, and contribute to the academic research and teaching of the University of Kansas, and to serve communities of learners across Kansas and beyond.

In 2009, with the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and numerous private donors, the SMA established the Andrew W. Mellon Department of Academic Programs. This new department builds on the Spencer Museum’s longstanding outreach to varied academic units with the aim of integrating SMA collections, exhibitions, facilities, and artistic projects into the crossdisciplinary intellectual life at KU.

The Spencer Museum of Art offers many opportunities for different levels of engagement, ranging from a one-time class visit to ongoing collaborative research or course development.

• The Common Work of Art

  In concert with KU’s selection of Notes from No Man’s Land by Eula Biss as its Common Book for the 2012-13 academic year, the Spencer Museum of Art has selected a sculptural work by Randy Regier, depicting a pull toy titled Impending Future Bus as its Common Work of Art

• Search the Collection

  You can search our extensive holdings by keyword, artist, culture, geographic area, time period, and other identifiers.

• Schedule a Class Visit

  To schedule a university class visit or student assignment, we ask that you complete the online form at least one week prior to the date of the requested visit. Visits can be led by the instructor individually or in conjunction with an SMA staff member.

• Arrange a Print Room Class or Research Visit

  The Print Room provides access to works of art on paper (prints, drawings, photographs, and artists’ books) and can accommodate a class of approximately 15 students. Kate Meyer, print room coordinator and curator, will discuss the goals for the visit with you and help identify works in the SMA collection to complement your curriculum. Contact Kate Meyer at kmm0045@ku.edu or 785.864.0128.

• Display Works in the Teaching Gallery

  The Teaching Gallery is a flexible, interactive, multipurpose space ideal for showing works to larger classes, for longer durations (2–4 weeks), or in conjunction with a conference. Either Celka Straughn, director of academic programs, or Kate Meyer, print curator, can assist with teaching gallery options.

• Attend University in the Art Museum

  The University in the Art Museum (UAM) is a dynamic, on-going program that demonstrates how original works of art may serve as a resource for teaching and scholarship in a range of disciplines by connecting KU faculty and graduate students to the Museum’s collection, its staff, and to one another. Sessions include presentations from instructors who have integrated the diverse collections into their own curricula, and who are eager to share their experience with other members of the KU community.

• How your Colleagues Use the Museum

  Teaching faculty and graduate teaching assistants frequently bring their classes to the Spencer. View excerpts from their feedback to learn about some of the ways in which they use the Museum and why they continue to come back.

• Mellon Academic Programs Advisory Board Members

  The faculty members of the Mellon Academic Programs Advisory Board help guide and assess current activities and future directions for the Department and the Museum's overall integration into KU's rich academic life.

Any questions about arranging course visits or to learn more about the diverse opportunities to partner with the Spencer, please contact a member of the academic programs department.