Nelson Atkins - Hindu Temple Room
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, ALL ARE WELCOME
Next: Sunday, October 18, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Nelson Atkins Museum, 4525 Oak St. Kansas City, MO 64111
Step into three of the museum's most immersive galleries and discover how art has served devotion, storytelling, and daily life across South and Southeast Asia. The experience concludes with a hands-on studio session inspired by the shapes, patterns, and symbolism encountered along the way. Participants will create their own art—drawing on motifs like lotus forms, repeating architectural patterns, or symbolic gestures and colors—to reflect on what they've seen and make a personal connection to the traditions explored in the galleries.
Read to Get Ready
Family reading is one of the best ways to support your child's language development and academic success!
Stories in the Spotlight provides each family with a thematic reading list for children of all ages to read and enjoy before taking part in the Live Arts Event! The books are easily available at Kansas City Public Library branches. Then, each family that participates in the Family Activity will also get to select a book to take home and keep for follow up reading.

Attend a Live Arts Event
Guests will visit three gallery locations, including the Hindu Temple Room and the Goldberg Variations exhibition in Gallery 203. A docent will be available at each location to discuss the art with families. Gallery viewing runs from 1:00–2:00 PM.

Enjoy A Family Activity
After touring the galleries, artmaking will be available in Classrooms 4 & 5 from 1:00–3:00 PM, with three activities for guests to choose from. Guests may complete any number of activities.
Parking: Garage parking is $20/vehicle. Limited free parking is available on Oak Street and in the surrounding neighborhood.
Recommended Ages: 4–12
