| letter from the president... |
 Moving from Arts Leaders to Community Leaders
I recently attended the Americans for the Arts Annual Conference. I return from these conferences inspired and energized. Of particular relevance to our work at the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City is the changing role of the arts in community development. We often talk about how nothing like the arts can serve to build community. The arts create multiple points of view and bridge the gaps between social class, race, gender, and even political differences. The arts are a great unifier, allowing us to experience our common humanity. The conference confirmed that there is a growing movement across our country in which arts organizations and arts councils, in particular are serving a meaningful and significant role in the building of community. The arts sector can work in partnership with community development agencies to be a part of the solutions needed for a neighborhood, a city, or a region. When I consider all the creative, bright, and articulate people I have had the pleasure of working with in the Kansas City arts community, I realize that this amazing pool of talent could be enlisted to work with community leaders to solve the problems we all face. In many ways, artists and arts organizations are already immersed in the basic building blocks of community development; creating value, improving neighborhoods, and engaging the public in fundraising, marketing, and advocacy. I sense that the Kansas City arts sector is hungry for the opportunity to partner with civic and public officials in this manner. Put us to work - we are ready!
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Art/Work, a program of the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City created in partnership with DST Systems, Inc., is a city-wide corporate arts challenge that enables companies to showcase their employees' talents in the literary, visual, and performing arts.
Visit Union Station, Crosstown Station, City Stage, and the Gem Theater to vote for your favorite entries and support some of Kansas City's best "working" artists. Unless noted, all events are FREE and open to the public!
Schedule of Events
Music Semi-Finals
July 25th and July 26th, 7 pm
Crosstown Station
1522 McGee Street
Dance Semi-Finals
July 23rd, 1 pm
City Stage at Union Station
Art Ride with Worth Harley-Davidson (details available below)
July 30th, 10:00 am
Worth Harley Davidson North
9400 NW Prairie View Rd
$25
Community Music Project with Harvest Productions
July 30th, 1 pm - 5 pm
Union Station Grand Hall
2011 Art/Work Finals and Awards
August 5th, 7 pm
Gem Theater
1615 E 18th Street
Artistic Director, Greg Carroll, CEO of the American Jazz Museum
Host, Darron Story of Kansas City After Hours
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5th Annual ArtsKC Fund Comes to Close |
 | | ArtsKC Staff: Kelly Ellison, Kathryn Walker, Harlan Brownlee, Erinn Faulconer, and Kristy Ladd |
This month we announced the results of our 5th Annual ArtsKC Fund Campaign at an event hosted in partnership with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival before a performance of their summer production of Macbeth. This year's campaign contributions total $396,818, bringing the fundraising total for all five years to over $2.5 million for the arts in our community.
"This campaign is part of an ongoing effort to create a sustainable source of funding for the arts in our community - a vital aspect for the economic growth and development of the Kansas City region," said Harlan Brownlee, Arts Council President and CEO. "I am extremely proud of this organization and staff for every dollar we raised this year and grateful to those individuals, businesses, and foundations that contributed."
While the ArtsKC Fund raises money from individuals, corporations, and foundations, it is the Workplace Giving Campaigns which account for the highest percentage of contributions. This year, ten participating businesses were able to increase giving or participation by at least 20%. These businesses include; American Century Investments, Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City, Heartland Combined Federal Campaign, Kansas City Power & Light, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Owen/Cox Dance Group, Parris Communications, Paul Mesner Puppets, and UMB Financial Corporation.
The total number of businesses participating in a Workplace Giving Campaign increased this year by 20%, from 71 to 90 total corporations hosting ArtsKC Fund Campaigns. This is due, in large part, to the work of the ArtsKC Fund Task Force, a group of volunteers who worked to recruit businesses and business leaders they knew would be interested in participating. ArtsKC Task Force Members; Becky Blades, Kelly Cannon, Don Dagenais, Alice Ellison, Caleb Fey, Augie Huber, Rick Hughes, Mariner Kemper, Pat McCown, Bob Regnier, Anne St. Peter, Alex Wendel, Reeves Wiedeman and Brian Williams, worked together to increase participation, focusing on spreading the reach of fundraising efforts for the 2011 campaign.
Because of the partnership with Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, this is the first year the ArtsKC Fund Announcement has been made to a public audience. Speakers included Harlan Brownlee, Arts Council President and CEO, Pat McCown, Arts Council Board Chair; and Sidonie Garrett, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Producing Artistic Director.
To read the full press release, please click here.
To see more great pics from the event, visit us on Facebook!
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ArtsKC Announces First Ever ART Ride! |
Worth Harley-Davidson, Union Station and ArtsKC - Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City are proud to announce ART Ride, a tribute to welded steel in its highest forms: choppers and sculpture.
Saturday, July 30th Ride Begins at Worth Harley-Davidson 9400 NE Prairie View Road 10:00 am (Registration open at 9:00am) $25.00/$15.00 for rider Click here to register online now!
Art Ride Tour includes:
· The Riverfront Heritage Trails trailhead in the West Bottoms featuring the work of sculptor Ed Hogan,
· Zahner Architectural Metals in Northeast Kansas City featuring sculptors Reilly Hoffman and Bill Zahner,
· Lunch at Grinders in the Crossroads Arts District with sculptor and restaurateur STRETCH,
· And entrance to the "Art of the Chopper" exhibition at Union Station!
Questions? Feel free to contact Sara Vogt at 816.994.9220 or Vogt@ArtsKC.org!
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staff picks
Erinn Faulconer
Research Assistant
The Kansas City Fringe Festival
One of the events that I know I am most looking forward to this summer is the Kansas City Fringe Festival! The Kansas City Fringe Festival is a celebration of local, regional and national artists - jam-packed with events at venues throughout Kansas City including live theater, dance, performance art, visual art, spoken word, puppetry, storytelling, film and fashion. Mark your calendars as this year's 2011 festival is approaching, July 21-31.
Liberty Hall
If you are ever in the Lawrence area I recommend checking out Liberty Hall at 644 Massachusetts Street for live performances and art-house films! This theatre is a staple of Lawrence history and introduced for me my love of movies and independent films. Of course being able to enjoy the local Free State beer while at the theatre is always a plus too!Recommendations: Forks over Knives - July 5-7 only!
The Wild West Film Fest Friday July 15
Starlight Theatre
For another great way to spend your summer evenings I recommend checking out a musical or concert at Kansas City's own Starlight Theatre, one of just three self-producing outdoor theatres in the U.S. today! The first Broadway musical production that I ever saw was at Starlight Theatre - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It was immediately after watching this that I auditioned for a play in my hometown of Lawrence, KS. I was cast as the rat that loved fat. I had just one line, but it was truly a great experience. Although my talents in the world of live theatre never took off, I never lost the love of watching a live performance and the energy that comes with it. Check out the musical Guys and Dolls July 12 - July 17. | |
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______________ arts council events | |
ArtsKC 360°
This event takes place twice a month and more dates will be available in our next newsletter.
Arts Council Office
906 Grand Blvd., Suite 10B
KC, MO 64106
Join us for a one-hour tour
and be inspired by the stories of how the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City is connecting, supporting and transforming our community through the arts! Visit the Charlotte Street artists' studios and Mattie Rhodes Folk Art Musuem, all while learning more about the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City.
Valet parking is available in the 928/UMB Parking Garage.Click on either of the dates above to register now. For additional information contact Kristy Ladd, 816.994.9240 or ladd@artskc.org. |
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Discover the Arts for YOU! | |
Volunteer Now!
Show your support for the arts in Kansas City by volunteering for the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City. This month we have several opportunities for you to get involved.
The Art/Work Corporate Arts Festival will open July 17 with a Visual and Literary Arts Exhibition at Union Station. Volunteers are needed to welcome and educate visitors about the program and ensure the safety of the art on display. A variety of shifts and dates are available.
The Kansas City community is a participant in the Americans for the Arts Economic Impact Study. This study will provide us with data about how the arts are positively impacting the economy in Kansas City. Volunteers are needed to help collect surveys at three events this summer. Three to four volunteers are needed per survey site.
For more details about the job descriptions or to sign up to volunteer, email Leslie Forrester at
forrester@artskc.org.
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