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Mulvane Art Museum

Mulvane Art Museum
1700 South West College Avenue
785-670-1124

Mission:

The mission of the Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University is to provide members of the Washburn community and Topeka residents and visitors a museum where they can learn to think independentally and critically about art, appreciate art as a vehicle for communicating human values, and value the diversity of human creativity.

History:

Joab R. Mulvane, 1837-1929, came to Kansas in 1876 and distinguished himself as one of the most successful Kansan's of his generation.  The breadth of his interests has shaped Kansas and beyond especially in shipping logistics given the strategic advantage of Kansas as a single point distribution hub for North America.  He was president of at least nine railroads and presided over the Chicago, Kansas and Western Railway Company, as its President, when it built over 900 miles of rail lines for the Santa Fe.  In 1922 Mulvane pledged a gift to build the Mulvane Art Museum and the building opened to the public in 1924.  In 1946, through the encouragement of Alexander Tillotson, Director of the Washburn Art Department, the Topeka Junior League spreaheaded the formation of a group now known as the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum.

Accredited by the American Association of Museums in 1988, the Mulvane Art Museum, one of the oldest art museums west of the Mississippi, houses a collection of approximately 4,000 objects from around the world including paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, photographs and decorative art.  While international in scope, the Museum's collection focuses on the works of artists from Kansas and the Mountain Plains region of the Unitied States. In addition to exhibiting works from the collection the Museum also presents changing exhibitons featuring artists from around the world.


Upcoming Events at Mulvane Art Museum

Exhibition - Endangered Art: Reclaiming a Legacy

Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Topeka, KS
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Exhibition - Family Pictures: Priya Suresh Kambli

Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Topeka, KS
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Exhibition: Only Human

Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Topeka, KS
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Exhibition: Perspectives from the Plains

Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Topeka, KS
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Exhibition - Endangered Art: Reclaiming a Legacy

Friday, May 9, 2025 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Topeka, KS
Read More »

Exhibition - Family Pictures: Priya Suresh Kambli

Friday, May 9, 2025 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Topeka, KS
Read More »

Exhibition: Only Human

Friday, May 9, 2025 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Topeka, KS
Read More »

Exhibition: Perspectives from the Plains

Friday, May 9, 2025 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Topeka, KS
Read More »

Exhibition - Endangered Art: Reclaiming a Legacy

Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Topeka, KS
Read More »

Exhibition - Family Pictures: Priya Suresh Kambli

Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Topeka, KS
Read More »

Recent News

Mulvane Art Museum Happenings Newsletter - March 2025

Gallery Talk: Priya Suresh Kambli Thursday, March 27, 5:30–6:30 pm Upper Level Galleries Free and open to the public Priya Suresh Kambli was born in India and now lives in Missouri. She uses photography and performance as a…

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Mulvane Art Museum News - September 27, 2024

Upcoming Events The Mulvane Art Museum Story Oct. 8, 5:30 - 6:30 pm Upper Level Galleries In celebration of the Mulvane's 100-year anniversary, join Director Connie Gibbons for a talk about the museum's history. Learn about the Mulvane's…

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A Heartfelt Thank You for 100 Years of Art at the Mulvane

Season's Greetings! As we stand on the brink of a new chapter in the Mulvane Art Museum's storied history, we are filled with immense gratitude and excitement. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who has played a role in…

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Mulvane Art Museum Newsletter - August 2023

The Mulvane Art Museum is going through some changes. Construction on the main galleries has begun— the museum is now a hard hat zone. We expect construction to last around 8 months as the old HVAC system is replaced. The Rita Blitt Gallery…

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