| letter from the president... |
If there is one thing I've learned, it is not to take things too seriously. That's why this month at the Arts Council we offer up KeepTheArt.org, our doomsday scenario of Kansas City, a city without art. The premise is simple, art is a luxury and without support from the public, the arts dry up and leave the region. As a result, the drama, dance, literature, and artwork that inspires our businesses' creative competitive edge and fuels our tourism disappears and we suffer an economic downturn. Of course, all of this is in good fun, but there is a serious side. The arts really do need your support. The arts benefit our region as an economic engine and as a means for building our community. The arts can bridge gaps between our differences and bring us together. And the arts have the power to transform our neighborhoods and our communities for the better. So after you visit KeepTheArt.org, have a little chuckle, then please help do your part to keep the arts alive in Kansas City. You will be glad you did and that is no joke.
To hear more from Harlan, follow him on Twitter!
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Help us to KEEP THE ART, KC!
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Artist INC Receives National Foundation Grant
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One of the Arts Council's core initiatives is to help artists become entrepreneurs, and Artist INC, a collaborative partnership between Charlotte Street Foundation, the Arts Council and the UMKC Innovation Center can help us to accomplish that goal by providing professional development training to artists looking to make a living doing what they love.
This month we are excited to announce a $30,000 grant from the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, a Connecticut-based national arts funder! The Artist INC grant is the first Tremaine Foundation award given to any Kansas City program or organization.
"The Tremaine Foundation is excited to provide support to Artist INC this year. Locally, the program is addressing a very important need in the artist community. Nationally, the program is setting the standard for online courses on professional practice training for all artists. We believe this is a great moment to support Artist INC and its contribution to the field," states Nicole Chevalier, Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Program Director.
For more information or to read the full press release, please click here.
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KC area artists & leaders take advantage of workshop opportunities!
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On January 25 the Arts Council held its first Cultural Competency workshop at Park University for the 2012 year. Over 20 Kansas City artists and community leaders came together to discuss diversity within the arts and how it relates to their organization in terms of marketing, communication, and broadening audiences. As was discussed during the workshop one of the most important things we can do as a community is continue to keep this conversation going. If you were unable to make it to the first workshop, there are two more opportunities left to participate and if you've attended a previous workshop encourage a member from your staff to attend. Space is limited so be sure to RSVP and reserve your seat today!
Special thanks go out to Park University, the American Jazz Museum, and Johnson County Community College for hosting. Workshops made possible by a grant received from the Missouri Arts Council. For more information contact Erinn Faulconer, Faulconer@ArtsKC.org. |
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arts council events
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Hello Art
ArtsKC 360°
March 7, 4PM
Cultural Competency Workshop
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 _____________ staff picks
Kelly Seward
Director of Business Programs
Kansas City is bursting with creative energy! The city's new rebranding efforts capture this vibe beautifully in America's Creative Crossroads and the newly launched VisitKC.com site. The slogan "Get inspired in KC" really says it all.
This Spring marks the return of two great events: Kansas City Design Week and Ink Magazine's "Middle of the Map Fest." Kansas City Design Week is a week-long series of presentations, workshops, and exhibitions that highlight the impact of design in our lives. The series brings together the best and brightest from a range of disciplines including architecture, toy design, and print-making. Many of the events are already sold out so visit the website today.
I am especially intrigued by April's Middle of the Map Fest, billed as Tech+Culture+Art+Film. There will concerts, a visual arts exhibition, and films at Screenland but what really gets me excited is the Forum. Call me a nerd but there's something cool about seeing Bill Zahner, Peter Witte, Bob Berkebile, Julian Zugazagoitia, and Porter Arneill on a list of keynote speakers. I especially love the website's description of the Forum as a "unique space to refine and direct new and unforeseen ideas, experiences and collaborations."
Design Week and Middle of the Map remind me a little of the moment that Willy Wonka opens his factory doors in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Artists and innovators give you a glimpse of a world that you've never imagined and it's absolutely thrilling.
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Discover the Arts for YOU!
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Arts Calendar
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