Lawrence is proud of its artists, arts institutions, galleries, and alternative art spaces. During the 1990s, Lawrence ranked 12th in percentage of artists in the workforce, according to the National Endowment for the arts; ranked number 15 in John Villani's The 100
Lawrence, KS ArtsDesigned for the preservation and use of rare materials, the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, on the University of Kansas campus, provides a home to some of the finest collections in North America. The library houses three major units:
The Watkins Museum anchors the south end of downtown on Massachusetts Street. The three-story red brick building houses exhibits and artifacts of the area's history, including a display on the history of basketball. Current exhibits include "Early Settlement," which details Lawrence as an 1850'
Lawrence, KS MuseumsThe Douglas County Courthouse was built of native limestone in 1904. It was saved from demolition in the 1960s when a modern courthouse was built, and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is currently in use by the county.
Lawrence, KS Historic CourthousesLife-size plaster casts of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture and antiquities, such as vases and coins, are a part of this collection established in 1888
Lawrence, KS Museums