Jimmy Mirikitani (1920-2012) was a Japanese American artist who survived the trauma of WWII incarceration, the loss of family and friends in his ancestral city of Hiroshima, a harsh life on the streets of New York, and the chaos of 9/11—all by making art. Sitting alone on a windy corner in Soho, he drew whimsical…
All KIA galleries, Gallery Shop, and Meader Fine Arts Library will be closed to the public on Saturday, October 17, 2026, to support new exhibition installations and help our teams prepare for our UNFRAMED: Soirée event. The Kirk Newman Art School will remain open.
UNFRAMED: Soirée has sold out! You can still support the event, and the KIA, by making a gift in honor of Jim & Carol Carter. Please visit our UNFRAMED: Soirée page to learn more about the event.
Join us for a Gallery Game Night, where we’ll explore the permanent collection through interactive, art-focused games and creative sketching activities. This event is appropriate for all ages.
Helen Frankenthaler's large-scale painting Code Blue has returned from New York, where it was included in the Gagosian exhibition Helen Frankenthaler: The Moment and the Distance. Celebrate the return of this beloved part of the KIA's permanent collection with a screening of The Eye is the First Circle. Inspired by Mary Gabriel's bestseller Ninth Street…
In the wake of Pearl Harbor and the United States’ declaration of war on Japan, the U.S. government ordered the removal of more than 120,000 men, women, and children from their homes based on their Japanese ancestry and imprisoned them in remote incarceration camps. Two-thirds were U.S. citizens. In this talk, Dr. Donna Nagata will…
Statement Pieces: Fashioning the Self & Society brings contemporary fashion objects from the Barrett Barrera Projects collection together with selections from the KIA's permanent collection. Placed in conversation with one another, fashion and visual art present a powerful commentary on identity, self-expression, and social constructions both embraced and contested. During this program, Kelly Peck, exhibition…
Animals are on the loose at the KIA! Bring your little art lover to the museum for an animal scavenger hunt through Among the Beasts. This program creates a welcoming space where little ones can be themselves while discovering art in a comfortable and supportive environment.
Statement Pieces: Fashioning the Self & Society juxtaposes works from the KIA’s collection with contemporary fashion from the Barrett Barrera Projects collection to examine how self-presentation and identity have been shaped and reimagined over the last 200 years. Fashion and portraiture address more than appearance—they can present ideas, status, and even offer visibility. They can…
During this ArtBreak, Iris Carney Cooper will discuss concepts of art, history, and fashion that allow designers to manipulate the human form for storytelling purposes. How does clothing define a person? What elements are used in garment construction to tell a larger story? This glimpse into the craft will show how to spot clues in…
Enjoy free admission and extended hours until 8pm on Thursdays, thanks to generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program and the Efroymson Family Fund.
Join us for College Night at the KIA! This free event for all college students which includes games, food, music, raffles, and interactive activities. Just bring your College ID & connect with students from WMU, K College, KVCC, and more! Come explore the museum, and enjoy a night of fun, creativity, and networking.