The Rahr-West Art Museum combines a visitor friendly atmosphere with a beautifully constructed late 19th century Victorian mansion and extends to a 20th century art exhibition wing added by Ruth and John West. Works in the museum collection include such notables as Picasso, a Georgia O'Keeffe, Andy Warhol; or even Mary Cassatt. Visitors can see a replica of a Sputnik fragment, which mysteriously fell through the atmosphere to earth and landed in Manitowoc just outside the museum.

Museum exhibitions rotate approximately eight times per year, offering local, regional and nationally recognized art organized from the museum collections or from other collections. Community involvement plays a key role in establishing a sense of comfort and friendliness in an art museum atmosphere. 

The museum galleries are fully accessible, however the mansion is accessible only by stairs.