Open TONIGHT for First Friday!

From left: Sponsor BNIM, Chris Willey, and Maria the Mexican.

Tonight we'll be open to the public for the first time for First Friday! This event will feature the work of local "Now Showing" Artist, Chris Willey, and performer and ArtsKC Inspiration Artist, Maria the Mexican. The new space, located at the intersection of Baltimore and Southwest Blvd., features a 2,100 square foot gallery in the front section of the building.

Visual artist Chris Willey has been an active participant in ArtsKC's Now Showing program for several years. The program, which fosters partnerships between artists and businesses, gives area artists opportunities to display work in local companies and will be the featured series in ArtsKC's new location. 

In addition to highlighting visual artists, ArtsKC First Friday receptions will include a special performance. Maria the Mexican, a bilingual musical act with a southwestern flare and melancholy motifs, received an ArtsKC Fund Inspiration Grant in 2013 to produce a vinyl version of "Moon Colored Jade" from their debut recording. 

Learn more...

ArtsKC's first First Friday is sponsored by BNIM Architects.

Thank you to our 2014 Inspiration Breakfast Sponsors!

ArtsKC will host its 5th Annual ArtsKC Inspiration Breakfast on Thursday, November 6th, from 7:30 - 9 a.m. at the InterContinental Hotel on the Country Club Plaza. Under the leadership of event chair Kimberlee Ried, and honorary chairs J. Scott Francis and Susan Gordon, ArtsKC will challenge 500 guests to imagine a region with access to the arts for everyone, while encouraging financial support for agency programs.

Textile designer and ArtsKC Fund grant recipient Whitney Manney will be the featured artist sharing her journey pursuing the arts as a career.

Visual artist and respected arts leader, J. Scott Francis brings a unique perspective to this event. Th inspiration for his own work "has many sources from Russian Icons to Greek Sculptures to Classical Mythology, and Expressionist Painting," shares Francis. Pulling from such a diverse palette for his artistic practice, Francis has a deep appreciation for the value of thorough and life-long learning in the arts.

Ried brings a deep passion for the arts as well as invaluable event planning experience to this event.

"I'm thrilled to chair this terrific event," says Ried. "Our team has worked really hard to make it a fun yet truly inspiring breakfast this year! I hope folks will walk away with a greater understanding of how important and necessary arts education and programming are in Kansas City."

To learn more or sponsor the event, please visit
ArtsKC.org/InspirationBreakfast or contact Andrea Robinson,
Robinson@ArtsKC.org. 

Photo by Tom Styrkowicz, 53Tom.com. 

A Look At Corporate Sponsor and Long-Time Supporter:

Burns & McDonnell

 For several years leadership and staff at Burns & McDonnell have flexed their creative skills, supported the arts community, and welcomed art into their workspaces through participating in our programs and sponsoring our events. But their arts engagement is not limited to just ArtsKC! Many ArtsKC Fund grant recipients are directly supported by Burns & McDonnell showing their commitment to a healthy and thriving arts community throughout our region. 

Community involvement is part of a way of life at Burns & McDonnell.  That's why they created the Burns & McDonnell Foundation, to reflect their strong belief in giving back to the communities in which they live and work that focus on four strategic areas: educational outreach, environmental responsibility, human services, and arts and culture.  Their involvement with ArtsKC has allowed them to  deepen their commitment to showcasing the importance of art to all of us in Kansas City and provided their employee-owners with an opportunity to celebrate their creative spirit and true self.

"From our engineers and architects to our builders and graphic designers, our job is to be creative and innovative every day, so it's not surprising that so many of our employee-owners extend their artistry outside of work," says Greg Graves, Chairman and CEO, Burns & McDonnell.  "It's exciting to pursue and participate in programs like Now Showing together as employee-owners.  It can serve as a unique growth experience for us as individuals and as a company."