| letter from the president... |
The Arts are a Public Good
Who benefits from a thriving and vibrant arts scene? The answer is everyone. We all benefit in some way, regardless of our level of participation. Consider this. Most people acknowledge that having professional sports teams in Kansas City is a good thing, even if they never attend a game or watch one on television. We all benefit as a community from having professional sports teams in Kansas City. The same is true of the Arts. We all benefit from the Arts. Our region and every one of us are in some way benefitting from a thriving and vibrant arts scene. Why? Because the arts are an economic engine and build a sense of community. No doubt, the investments made to downtown have been central to the Arts success and while there are a number of public-private partnerships that have been critical, much of that success is due to the incredible generosity of our philanthropic community. And that's the challenge we face. If we all benefit, then we all need to support the Arts. The challenge for our community is to educate our citizens and public officials that the Arts are a public good and they deserve the support of our elected officials and public institutions. The Arts are a good investment and are creating a significant return to the region. Imagine what that return will look like when everyone who benefits also supports it.
To hear more from Harlan, follow him on Twitter!
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KCP&L lights up workplace giving!
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The ArtsKC Fund Campaign is nearing the mid-way point and results, to date, have been impressive!
Kansas City Power & Light has been a part of the Workplace Giving Campaign since 2007 and has been a longtime supporter of the Arts Council's mission. This year they increased their ArtsKC Fund Campaign total by an incredible 64% raising over $9,500 for the arts across the metro.
 | | Rita Boyd, Terry Bassham, and Harlan Brownlee |
Creativity was their key. Lead by ArtsKC Fund Employee Campaign Manager, Rita Boyd, and a team of dedicated KCP&L associates from a variety of different departments, they hosted an ice cream social fundraiser on the executive floor complete with live entertainment by their own KCP&L associates. Additionally, associates were encouraged to create art objects using eco-friendly light bulbs. Sculptures included a terrarium, a necklace, and a number of beautifully hand-painted bulbs. All were offered for auction in support of the ArtsKC Fund leading to their spectacular results!
Additional images may be found on our Facebook page.
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Let the corporate competition begin!
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Art@Work 2012 is underway! Art@Work, Kansas City's corporate arts challenge is getting geared up with internal competitions starting all across the city at companies like DST Systems, Truman Medical Center and Burns & McDonnell. The best of the best will be selected by June for our annual exhibition at Union Station opening July 21st.
This year we're offering four KickstART events as opportunities for company contenders to stretch their artistic skills. kickstART event include: two matting and framing workshops, a poetry jam, and a songwriter's workshop.
"Art@Work fosters teamwork and corporate pride, and it also encourages business people to think more like artists," says Kelly Seward, Director of Business Programs. "The arts are the best place to learn the thinking styles necessary for innovation."
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Arts & Issues - America's Creative Crossroads
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America's Creative Crossroads: InterUrban ArtHouse
 Thursday, April 12th 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Central Exchange South 6201 College Blvd Overland Park, KS 66211 20.00
Midway between the Nelson-Atkins and the Nerman Museums, Johnson County is focusing on developing a new creative-industry cluster in Downtown Old Overland Park. Founder and artist, Nicole Emanuel, is the driving force behind InterUrban ArtHouse, a grass-roots organization designed to provide stable, affordable artist studios, a gallery, and green space for community arts and cultural programs. Partnering with Nicole on this initiative are The Art and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park, the Arts Council of Johnson County, the City of Overland Park and the Culinary Center of Kansas City. Join us to meet Nicole and find out more about how the InterUrban ArtHouse will enhance Johnson County's arts profile while fostering a synergy among artists and small businesses. |
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arts council events
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ArtsKC 360°
April 11, 12PM
This event is a free, one hour tour of who we are and what we do - a great way to get introduced to our organization!
Arts & Issues
Details for this luncheon series are available below.
Spring Happy Hour
April 20, 5-7PM
Join us for cocktails, light appetizers and amazing art featuring artists from the Now Showing portfolio. This event is free and open to the public.
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Paul Tyler
Grants Director
I'm in awe of our thriving, vibrant and endlessly inventive theatre community. We're lucky to have so many fabulous options for experiencing the dramatic arts. There's just one little problem-with all the terrific choices, it's hard to make it to everything that's worth seeing! Here's what's on my "don't miss" list right now.
The next show at KC Rep promises to deliver more of the "fearless, adventurous theatre." Based on an odd but true historical reality, it tells the story of a Jewish slaveholder and two of his former slaves after the Civil War-a fascinating premise for compelling drama, to be sure. The Whipping Man is running through April 8 at the Spencer Theatre. (If this gripping tale moves you deeply, you might want to read "The Known World" by Edward P. Jones, a Pulitzer Prize winning novel that revolves around a freed black man who himself owned a plantation and slaves--it's my favorite book of the last decade for several reasons.)
Just opened at the Living Room is A Bucket of Blood, another show I'm dying to see (heh, heh). This is an original theatrical reinvention of a cult comedy/horror film from 1959 by the legendary Roger Corman. I can't wait to see what the talented people involved in this production have come up with. Hurry though, right now this show is expected to close Sunday, April 1. The Living Room is one of those funky, independent performance spaces that have sprung up in the Crossroads Arts District in the last few years-this is a great reason to check it out if you've never been there.
Looking for more classical fare? Next up at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre is a recent stage adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Given the MET's stellar track record, I'm expecting this to be highly entertaining, impeccably acted and stylishly produced. The show opens April 18 and runs through May 6.
For even more choices, don't forget The Unicorn Theatre, The Coterie Theatre, and The Fishtank. Kansas City has become a great theatre town, there's no doubt about it! | |
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Discover the Arts for YOU! | |
Arts Calendar
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