Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Not a huge museum but interesting collections. The newly revamped space in the basement has Greek pottery and interesting prints. Also nice sculpture collection right outside. Great to add if you're doing a college visit at WashU or if you're visiting the St. Louis Art Museum.

Incredible exhibit and campus. Lovely space. Unfortunately my rating is related to the staff’s attitude towards me as a pregnant mom with a toddler. As an art teacher in the St. Louis area, I believe it’s extremely important and necessary to expose kids of all ages to art and to continue to help them engage museums and art in the best and appropriate way. We are so fortunate to have many free museums to bring kids to even if for a small amount of time. During my time at the Kemper today, I felt discouraged by the lack consideration and respect they showed. My son and I walked through the exhibit with friends and decided to head back to the lobby to wait for our other guests to finish their experience. My son and I were reading and looking out the windows and he was skipping and jumping on the ground (not off anything, not onto me, but the ground). I was approached and told that they would like him to stop because they were concerned he would get hurt or break something. Please keep in mind, we were in the lobby where the nearest art installation was hanging from the ceiling other than that, we were in a completely open room. I’ve never been treated this way and have taken my son to many gallery openings, exhibitions, and museums. I’m not sure why WashU feels as if they are above having people of all kinds in their gallery, but that’s the impression they left on us today. I am currently an art teacher and have worked in multiple galleries before and know their are plenty of other ways to kindly work with kids in a museum/gallery space that creates an engaging and kind environment for everyone. Simple respect is a good place to start. Oddly enough we went outside and actually engaged the outdoor art including jumping on the ground and nothing broke. Be wary of the concrete and steel flooring, there is a concern it is not substantial for a 30lb toddler.

I really like this place: beautifully with wood tables, leather chairs and fun games (check out life-size scrabble board!). Beer is good and diverse and food is yummy! The staff is super friendly too!

The Ai Wei Wei exhibit was deeply moving. A melange of Chinese history, tradition, and aspirations with very human fear and resilience. It was so much more than even I expected. The Kemper, as allows, delivers a superior experience.

This is a lovely small museum! On the Washington University in St Louis campus, it is tucked away in a building hallway. Its small size—and it is small—is its detriment. There is a nice snack bar in the same building.