Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art

It's a charming museum! We had a great, quick visit for the rotating exhibit. The permanent collection was also really beautiful. Free, with easy parking - just a bonus. Next time we'll plan to grab a snack in the cafe on the first floor

Today I brought my grandson to check out this museum. Unfortunately, the lower section was closed and so it was only the upper area. I wish I would've known this before coming. I feel like the staff needs to be more welcoming. When I first arrived, I really wasn't greeted and I just told the woman that I was there to check out the museum and then she told me about the lower area being closed. I was the only person in the upper area and there was an attendant that watched me every moment and really was quite uncomfortable. And then all of a sudden there was another attendant watching me that wasn't there before either. Neither spoke to me the entire time I was there until the very end one of them said thank you for coming in. But I just feel like the place was not welcoming, and my grandchild was a baby who I was holding, so it's not like a child was running around with any risk of harming art. I really could not recommend the place unless it's adults and both sections are open.

Love this museum. Great home collection and nice rotation of exhibits. Plus the cafe has good food. Highly recommend!

Not much variety, seemed a little biased. Felt like a lot of wasted space, compared to the other museums in the area. You can't go wrong with free, but have been to the other free art museums in the area and this one doesn't compare.

If this is out of your way, across town or just not in your area, let me reassure you it is worth the drive and effort.The museum is free, small and typically has a rotating show on the ground floor and in the a small enclosed gallery near the front. The permanent collection is excellent with many examples of contemporary art that is sure to please and inspire you.Staff is abundant and present, they are watching! I don't mind people being diligent, but they are a bit overzealous and you get feeling they are following you from room to room assuming negative intent - come on man, I just looking at the art. Probably just me, so don't sweat it.Highly recommended!

Johnson County needs this museum. I was driving to the Nelson for my art fix. It's nice to know this is so close and it takes about 30 minutes to view the art. They are pretty helpful at the front desk and you can pick up a map to guide you through the museum and the sculptures around campus. Go on a weekday afternoon and it's like having your very own art museum.

We finally made it over to Nerman and really enjoyed it. In fact, my mom's been going once a week since then. The sculpture garden is empty. I don't know if it's just really new or what, but it'd be nice to get some sculptures out there.The staff really follow you closely, but I'm okay with that. I'm not planning on defacing any art and would hope no one else is planning to do so either, but some people are jerks.Anyway, we were hoping to try out their café, but it was closed on Saturday. That didn't seem to be mentioned on their website, but it kind of makes sense.

My ex-boyfriend and I were so comfortable here, we stole a kiss at this museum! This museum is a gem. I wish more people would venture into the brightly lit, spacious confines of this venue. JCCC did it right!It does seem odd that a small community college in the midwest would venture out and build such an amazing structure, housing such a unique collection of art. A museum of this caliber stands toe-to-toe with some of the great museums in this country. The permanent collections are simply amazing. As many times as I have been there, I never tire of the permanent collection. The metal coat is one of my favorites. No effort was wasted, however, on the traveling exhibits. There have been some outstanding pieces that have been displayed over the years. Awe inspiring, thought provoking, richness of color and thought- in many ways, I like the traveling exhibits as much as I enjoy the permanent. Whoever does the selecting for this museum does an outstanding job consistently.One thing I especially like about this museum is that they are not content. They are always looking for ways to reinvent themselves and to entice people to visit. They hold special night time events, they host nationally recognized guest speakers, they have workshops and they always strive to make the venue better.I remember on my first visit to this wonderful museum, there was a huge painting titled "The History of Metal". I love geology and could not wait to view all the details in this painting. "Metal" turned out to refer to music and not minerals. It was wonderful. I must have spent almost an hour looking at this piece of fascinating art. I knew then that there were creative minds behind the acquisitions.No one seems to rush you through and no one is stepping all over you to view exhibits. There is plenty of space and room. The docents are nice and helpful. They did not seem to mind at all when I kissed my ex-boyfriend. This is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon at a leisurely pace while enjoying an amazing experience. Here is my "Like" list:1. It is free. Yeah, that's right.. free2. Very well designed- sleek, bright, comfortable (reference the kiss, above)3. The collections are well chosen, thought provoking and displayed in a visually appealing manner4. Staff is helpful and courteous5. Parking is a breeze. There are always many spaces a stone's throw away from the museum (please, take my word for that and do not throw stones at the building!)6. Again, admission is freeMy "Dislike" list:1. No more gift shop. The gift shop was amazing and had some very interesting products for purchase. I miss the gift shop most of all.

Today was probably my 5th time to the Nerman. I love this place and wish it was more convenient to my home. It doesn't have the notoriety as does the Kemper in KCMO, but shouldn't feel like a step child to it. It is composed of several small galleries on 2 floors and just opened a new small glass enclosed area devoted to artists with ties to Kansas. They have a room with that is projecting an amazing clay motion movie by Allison Schulnik that is mesmerizingly scary and beautiful and most of all memorable. Another area of art is in the main building on campus, west of the performance spaces - it features 50+ pieces including a David Hockney. I'm not sure why this area is not promoted or linked to the Nerman. JCCC you have done well!!

Why is the Nerman a great Friday night date idea?1. It's open late for a museum...till 9.2. You can go there after eating in the great in-house restaurant, or3. It's near Ruchi, which is awesome Indian eating4. You'll challenge yourself to examine and think about modern art, especially if you are a traditionalist like myself.5. It's human-scale, and not so large as to be overwhelming. Easily seen in one visit.6. It's got a "media" area which shows different types of visual art, which I find fascinating.7. It's free - who said great dates had to cost money?8. Parking is a breeze.9. it's not crowded in the least.10. You need a 10th reason? :-) Fine, the museum's design itself, though not on the scale of Bilbao or the Getty, is a work of art, and one that is worthwhile.