LAWRENCE, KS.- As part of University-wide efforts to reduce ongoing operating expenditures, the Spencer Museum of Art will introduce new gallery hours beginning Tuesday, January 12, 2009. The Spencer’s galleries, currently open Tuesday through Sunday, will close one hour earlier each day. The new schedule will be as follows: Monday: Closed, Tuesday-Saturday: 10 AM—4 PM, Thursday: 10 AM—8 PM, and Sunday: Noon—4 PM. Admission to the Spencer Museum of Art remains free; donations are welcome.

Closing the galleries and turning off the lights an hour earlier each day will help reduce annual staffing and utility costs. These reductions are part of the Spencer’s response to requests from the Kansas Legislature that the University trim costs.

The Spencer remains committed to offering exceptional programs and exhibitions, and will continue to improve its abilities to provide responsive, tailored experiences for patrons. One example of this in-depth service is the popular Walk-ins Welcome Fridays program in the Print Study Room, which provides patrons with weekly opportunities to view works on paper and photographs—without appointment. Each Friday, the Print Study Room is open for “walk-in” visitors from 10 AM to Noon, and from 1 PM to 4 PM.
Guided tours are another service for patrons that the Museum continues to refine. A convenient way to schedule a tour is through the SMA Website:
http://www.spencerart.ku.edu/information/tours.shtml

The tours program, supported in part by the generosity of the Ethel & Raymond F. Rice Foundation and the Hallmark Corporate Foundation, provides a customized experience of the Spencer’s diverse collection. The Museum’s trained volunteer docents conduct guided tours which last approximately one hour and are free of charge, though donations are accepted. Larger groups are divided into groups of no more than 15 per guide. We encourage discussion between the docent and Museum visitors. After scheduling, please contact us immediately if you will not be able to keep your appointment or if the size of your group changes considerably.

Guided tours cover portions of the Spencer’s permanent collection as well as special exhibitions. The Spencer offers tours pertaining to multiple disciplines, including foreign-language groups, religious groups, and various other areas within the liberal arts. You may also request a specialty tour tailored by our staff to address a specific theme of interest to your group. To allow time for preparation, we require at least three weeks advance notice when scheduling a specialty tour.

The Museum asks that groups make reservations at least two weeks in advance for a guided tour. Self-guided groups of 10 people or more should also make an appointment for their visit to ensure that there is adequate space in the galleries.