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• Best Art Gallery: Krannert Art Museum

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Krannert Art Museum, Champaign

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Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion »
Address: 500 E. Peabody Drive Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 333-1861
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As Illinois’ second largest art museum, with 48,000 square feet of exhibition space and 9,000 works of art it its collection, it’s no wonder that Krannert Art Museum (KAM) won the title of “Best Place to see art in CU.” The museum offers 12-15 exhibitions each year and has developed a strong museum education and programming department that aims to reach out to the university community and the community at large.

Krannert’s museum education program seeks to address an audience “ranging from three years old to senior citizens,” said Andrea Ferber, education coordinator. Ferber described the museum as “an encyclopedic museum.”

Ferber further explained, “It’s important that people know that we have things that come from ancient Greece and Rome, works from Pre-Columbia and South America, all the way up to the present day. We have both a permanent collection and rotating exhibits that include works from other institutions and our own.”

Highlights of the museum include a strong Modern Art collection and a huge collection of Pre-Columbian works from Ancient Peru. If you are looking for a more guided experience, or just some extra information about the artwork, check out the museum’s podcasts. “The podcasts are available for download on the website or people can borrow ipods at the museum for free,” said Ferber.

Taking advantage of its location at a major university, KAM’s programming is often interdisciplinary, inviting other University departments and community groups to participate. For students and other community members looking to participate in KAM’s special programming, check out the VOICE Reading Series or SPEAK café.

“We want to be one of those places where the community feels welcome to engage with the University,” said Ferber.