Small Museums Pull Out All the Stops and Build Big for Visitors

In a quest to become players in the international arts community, museums in second and third-tier cities have undergone transformations in order to draw new patrons and bring attention to their cities like never before.

By Erika Clarke

It's often thought that Europe is the harbinger of great museums, which can only be rivaled by major institutions in American cities such as New York or Chicago. But there are a multitude of great museums throughout the U.S. that are itching to go head to head with the Musee d'Orsay in Paris or the Tate Modern in London. In this quest to become relevant players in the international arts community, museums in second and third-tier cities have undergone extensive transformations that are drawing visitors from around the world and bringing attention to their cities like never before.

So while planning your next vacation, consider building your trip around one of these artistic havens and help solidify their future as cultural powerhouses.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO

Kansas City is undergoing a major multi-million dollar revitalization, and that is most apparent in the arts community. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (www.nelson-atkins.org), already well regarded for its' Asian art collection, recently opened a new wing, the Bloch Building, and it's given the city much acclaim. Interwoven throughout the Kansas City Sculpture Park, this architectural wonder boasts a spectacular interior and exterior walls made of "lenses" that cast a luminous effect on the property. Within the new wing you will find the Zen-like Isamu Noguchi Sculpture Court and a fascinating exhibition on the birth of American Photography. Also on hand are notable works by Andy Warhol, Donald Judd and an impressive African art collection. This museum has put Kansas City on the map as a strong arts center, and with its $200 million expansion budget it's easy to see it was money well spent.

Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth prides itself on being the land of "Cowboys and Culture," and you can definitely engage in the latter in the city deemed "museum capital of the Southwest." One of the finest museums in town is the Philip Johnson-designed Amon Carter Museum (www.cartermuseum.org), which after a summer hiatus is open again and re-imagined for the masses. This free museum (there is a charge for special exhibitions) focuses on American Art from the 1820's to present day and houses one of the largest photography repositories in the country, including work by the late great Richard Avedon. Also on hand are pieces by the likes of Georgia O'Keefe and the modernist Charles Demuth. And if you're an Old West enthusiast giddy up to the vast collection of works by artists Frederic S. Remington and Charles M. Russell, who were favorites of the late namesake of the museum. After you take that in you'll definitely have the "Cowboy" aspect of Fort Worth covered.

Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
One city that has recently been getting a deafening amount of buzz is Minneapolis. From being anointed a top destination for 2007 by Frommer's to attaining the title of one of the "most underrated" U.S. cities by various outlets, this city is the crown jewel of the Midwest. A huge jewel in that crown belongs to their arts scene -- a scene that boasts over 57 museums and is led by one of the finest, the Walker Art Center (www.walkerart.org). This contemporary art museum underwent a major renovation to double its size and the people have been coming out in droves ever since. The Walker champions the work of up-and-coming and established visual and performance artists and offers up an impressive 385-seat theater. The theatre hosts their "Women in Vision Festival," a forum for women from all over the world to submit short and long form film and video work for screenings. But that is just the beginning. There are classes and workshops to engage in plus countless dance and music events. Plus the highly anticipated Frida Kahlo's Centennial Exhibition will make its U.S. premiere here in October. And if you need to grab a bite while roaming through this maze of art you can opt for fine dining -- or a quick snack -- all provided by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. It's one stop shopping for the arts, entertainment, and dining.

Boston Children's Museum, Boston, Massachusetts
If there are young children in your life -- and you're on a quest to get them interested in arts and culture -- there is no better place to go than the Boston Children's Museum (www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org). After a $47 million revamping, the museum re-opened with an additional 10,000 square feet that has the kids running wild -- in a good way. The museum nurtures youthful creativity and houses an arts studio for the wee ones (and adult entourages) so they can create their own "masterpieces." Additionally, there are two galleries for children's exhibitions, one of which recently featured the work of children that were displaced as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Also on hand is a reconstruction of an authentic Japanese house to teach children about architecture, ceremony and art. Hey, they might not have Monet's mounted on the wall but after a visit you could have a mini-Manet on your hands.

Denver Art Museum, Denver, Colorado

Another entry into the multi-millionaire dollar upgrade game was the Denver Art Museum (www.denverartmuseum.org). One of their goals was to lure more exhibitions from Europe, which they did quickly. With their geometrically stunning addition, the Frederic C. Hamilton wing -- which houses their African, contemporary and modern art -- the Louvre came on board and is loaning pieces from their collections that will be on display starting in October. Add that to the over 55,000 works of art and you have one of the finest institutions of art in the West. The Denver Art Museum can also boast that they were one of the first museums in the U.S. to collect American Indian art, and now have over 2,000 pieces on display representing tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada. But good luck making it inside; with an exterior so breathtaking it's a piece or art all on its own.

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