Kansas City’s rich arts scene can be experienced at over 80 art galleries and over 40 museums and centers with international artwork. The monthly First Fridays in the Crossroads Art District highlights 40 art and antique galleries in this trendy, colorful district.

• Nelson-Atkins Museum
  This venerable institution is the pillar of Kansas City's art community and one of America’s premier museums, featuring prestigious American and European works. It is well known for its Asian art collection and array of indoor and outdoor sculpture works. Admission to the Museum Collection is free.
  
• Kansas City Museum
  Located within a magnificent historic mansion, this museum’s setting is as captivating as its exhibits. Visit the permanent exhibition to learn about the history of Kansas City dating back to its Native American inhabitants.
  
• Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
  Known for its permanent collection featuring artwork by famed artists such as Frank Stella, Jasper Johns and Robert Mapplethorpe, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is a sensory experience. Temporary exhibitions range from performance art to multimedia works of lasers and computers. The museum also features an outdoor sculpture area, shop and café.
  
• Arabia Steamboat Museum
  This museum showcases one of the country’s largest caches of pre-Civil War era items, inspired by the steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856, then was recovered over 100 years later.
  
• Airline History Museum
  The Airline History Museum tells the story of early airline travel, with exhibits of all phases. Extensive airline memorabilia, fully restored Super G Constellation and Martin 404, and a Douglas DC-3 being restored.
  
• American Royal Museum
  The American Royal Museum focuses on the role of agribusiness in our lives.  Featured in the museum are interactive displays, hands-on exhibits and a 28-minute film. Addition activities and events occur during rodeo and livestock competitions in November.
  
• Society for Contemporary Photography
  With its recent move into the Crossroads Art District, The Society for Contemporary Photography (SCP) is a leading venue for exhibiting fine art photography and related media; and is recognized today as a vital international voice in understanding the past and shaping the future of photography.
  
• The 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District features two of the city’s most famous museums:
  American Jazz Museum
  Take a journey through the history of jazz and get a taste of the Kansas City sound at this museum, honoring the greats in American jazz. You’ll see priceless memorabilia, such as Charlie Parker’s saxophone, and exhibits celebrating jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.
  
• The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
  Adjacent to the Jazz Museum, this contemporary museum founded in 1990 houses artifacts that reach back into the early 19th century. Its mission is to preserve the rich history of African-American baseball alive, via multi-media displays and fascinating artifacts.