Our History
From a Little White House to a Cultural Landmark
The Nicolaysen Art Museum, known today as The NIC, began in 1967 when Casper artist and community leader Mary Durham gathered friends to host the city’s first art show in a small white house at the corner of “A” and Park Streets. The nonprofit gallery was first called Gallery A and quickly became a creative hub for local artists and art lovers in central Wyoming.
Becoming the Central Wyoming Art Museum
In 1972, the organization, by then renamed the Central Wyoming Art Museum, moved into a 7,000-square-foot former bus station on Rancho Road. The larger space allowed for expanded exhibitions, art classes, and educational programs that nurtured a growing arts community in Casper.
By 1977, the museum faced financial challenges until Gerald G. Nicolaysen, a local rancher and art supporter, paid off the remaining mortgage in full. In gratitude, the Board of Trustees renamed the institution the Nicolaysen Art Museum, honoring the generosity that ensured the museum’s future.
Building a New Home for Art in Casper
​As interest in Wyoming’s art scene grew, so did the vision for a permanent facility. Led by community advocate George Bryce, an in-depth feasibility study confirmed the need for a regional museum. Bryce worked with the City of Casper and the One Cent Commission to secure funding and develop plans for a full-service cultural center that would not rely on ongoing local tax support.
In 1984, the museum received $3 million in One Cent funding to renovate the former Casper Lumber Company building, located at 400 East Collins Drive, a historic site that once housed Casper’s first electric company. Construction began in February 1989, lasting 330 days and costing $2.6 million.
The original brick structure was preserved and transformed into what are now Bryce Hall, the Discovery Center, and the museum’s administrative offices, with new east and west wings added for galleries, a prep room, collection storage, and the museum shop. The newly renovated Nicolaysen Art Museum officially opened to the public on April 6, 1990, marking the beginning of a new era for art in Wyoming.
Exhibitions and Permanent Collections
Today, The Nicolaysen Art Museum houses a Permanent Collection of more than 6,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, drawings, prints, photographs, and mixed-media works.
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The collection focuses on contemporary art of the Rocky Mountain region, celebrating artists with deep ties to Wyoming and the American West. Many works reflect traditional western influences, while others explore modern and abstract styles that broaden the definition of western art.
In addition to regional artists, the NIC’s collection includes nationally and internationally recognized names, connecting Casper’s local art scene to the wider contemporary art world.
A Lasting Legacy and a Vision for the Future
From its beginnings in a small white house to its home on Collins Drive, The Nicolaysen Art Museum has grown into one of Wyoming’s leading cultural institutions. The NIC continues to fulfill its mission to collect, preserve, and exhibit contemporary art, serving as a creative anchor for Casper and a vital part of the state’s artistic landscape.
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In 2009, The Nicolaysen Art Museum earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), joining an elite group of institutions recognized for the highest standards of excellence, stewardship, and public service. This national accreditation underscores the NIC’s dedication to
professionalism, preservation, and community engagement.
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Through exhibitions, education programs, and community events, The NIC inspires people of all ages to experience the power of art in Wyoming and beyond.
