KCAI Archives
The Kansas City Art Institute Archive preserves and shares the stories, creativity, and history of KCAI since its founding in 1885. Our collections include photographs, films, institutional records, publications, artifacts, and born-digital materials that document the people, programs, and ideas that have shaped the college. By safeguarding these materials, the Archive supports research, inspires creativity, and connects past, present, and future generations of artists, educators, and scholars. Materials are available for research and educational use in accordance with our access policies.
Submit a Request
Anyone with a curiosity about KCAI’s rich creative heritage—students, faculty, alumni, educators, researchers, artists, and community members alike—is welcome to explore the Archive. Whether you're working on a project, planning a publication, teaching a class, or just following your curiosity, the Archive is here to support you.
To access materials or ask questions, simply fill out our online inquiry form. You’ll be asked for details like the materials you're interested in, the purpose of your request, and your contact information—all designed to help us assist you efficiently. After submission, the archivist will follow up to guide you through the next steps, whether that’s scheduling a visit, coordinating a digital delivery, or exploring permission guidelines.
History of the Cunningham Estate
Jannes Library and the KCAI Archives are housed in a beautifully restored 1908 Georgian Revival mansion with a rich and layered history. Originally built for banker B. Thompson Whipple and designed by architect Adriance Van Brunt, the home has passed through the hands of notable Kansas City families, including the Harveys, who hosted guests of the Nelson-Atkins Museum’s grand opening in the 1930s. In the 1940s, the Cunningham family became the third owners, known for their lush gardens, before donating the property to Rockhurst University in 1987.
After sitting vacant for over a decade, the mansion became part of KCAI’s campus revitalization project from 1998 to 2002. With generous support from Nicholas Jannes and other donors, the historic home was transformed into a 21,000-square-foot library and resource center. BNIM Architects led the award-winning renovation, preserving many original details—such as fireplaces, oak flooring, and woodwork—while adding a modern two-story addition on the west side for the library’s stacks, connected by a glass atrium that floods the space with natural light. Today, Jannes Library & Learning Center offers a warm, inspiring space where KCAI’s past and future meet under one roof.