The Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center is a full-service institution that offers programs and services to the city of Casper and to the state of Wyoming. Opened in 1967, the Museum has grown from a gallery in a house started by Mary Durham and her friends to a 25,000 square foot major cultural institution. It serves a diverse audience and is a primary center for contemporary artists living in the Rocky Mountain Region. In addition to art exhibitions, education is a primary focus of this institution.

One large and six small galleries have three simultaneous exhibitions that are of or about the Rocky Mountain Region. Ranging from contemporary to traditional western, these exhibitions address the strength and depth of the regional art. Each year, twelve exhibitions are shown. In addition, there are opening receptions open to the public for all exhibitions.

The Museum offers many educational opportunities for both children and adults. The Discovery Center is a hands-on self-guided art-making studio that offers 10-15 different stations at which people of all ages can get "creative." The stations concentrate on the current shows, art methods, and having fun. The Docent Program offers tours of the exhibits to groups of all ages. A Class/Camp Program offers year-round direct informal instruction in a variety of media and ideas. Night at the NIC is the museum's monthly adult oriented lecture series that brings in artists and other speakers to discuss art.