In This Issue

ArtsKC Live! Mark Your Calendars

Open TONIGHT! First Friday at ArtsKC

Funding for local arts programs

Sprint

Staff Picks: Paul Tyler

Upcoming ArtsKC Events

ArtsKC 360 Tour

Oct. 8th at 12:00 PM

Are you looking for ways to get involved in the arts in Kansas City? Join us for a complimentary lunch tour and be inspired by the stories of how ArtsKC is unleashing the power of the arts in our region.

For more information, please visit

artskc.org/artskc-360-tour-7

ArtsKC 360 Tour

Oct. 16th at 12:00 PM

Join us for a complimentary lunch tour and be inspired by the stories of how ArtsKC is unleashing the power of the arts in our region.

For more information, please visit

artskc.org/artskc-360-tour-8

ArtsKC 360 Tour

Oct. 28th at 12:00 PM

Are you interested in learning more about ArtsKC? Join us for a complimentary lunch tour and be inspired by the stories of how ArtsKC is unleashing the power of the arts in our region.

For more information, please visit

artskc.org/artskc-360-tour-9

ArtsKC LIVE!

Nov. 1st at 12:00 PM

ArtsKC takes over the streets of the Kansas City Power & Light District with live performances from the area's top artists and performers.

For more information,

please visit

artskc.org/artskc-live

Stay Connected

October 2014

Arts{INSIGHT}

Entrepreneurship and the Arts

The theme for this year's annual KC Chamber benchmarking trip to Silicon Valley was entrepreneurs and their start-ups. We wanted to learn what were the factors for their success and how could we apply that here in KC. The trip was eye-opening in particular on the issue of failure and the culture that surrounds it. Time after time, we heard from entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and public officials that failure was an expected part of the process for finding a winning product or solution. Failure was viewed as an opportunity to learn and grow.

I immediately thought of artists and the creative process of art-making that exemplifies this philosophy. Artists and entrepreneurs are similar in many ways. They both are creating something that never existed before and are significant risk-takers, putting their reputations and careers on the line when they reveal their work to consumers and the public. They also need the same kind of support from a community to be successful. That includes first, mentors who will encourage and guide them, second, incubators and accelerators to build their networks and provide training, and third, investments to assist with the costs of starting and doing business. I'm pleased to see the leadership of Kansas City embracing the idea of making "Kansas City As The Most Entrepreneurial City in the Nation," and have no doubt about the important role the arts will play in making that happen.

Click here to learn more about how ArtsKC supports artists as entrepreneurs through Artist INC.

Connect with me on Twitter!

Photo credit: Tom Styrkowicz, 53Tom.com

ArtsKC LIVE!

Saturday, November 1st, 12-6pm

ArtsKC is taking over the streets of the Kansas City Power & Light District with a live showcase of the region's top artists and performers during a family friendly-festival.

PERFORMANCE LINE-UP:

StoneLion Puppet Theatre
Allegro Choirs of Kansas City, Brillante
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, AileyCamp the Group
Kansas City Boys Choir & Kansas City Girls Choir
Victor & Penny
5 Star Jazz Band
Gustavo Adolfo Aybar
Right Between the Ears
Kansas City Ballet Second Company
Maria the Mexican
Mighty Mo Combo
Carswell & Hope
(Final performance order may vary from this listing)

BECOME A SPONSOR: Your business can participate in the day by sponsoring a performance! Sponsorships start at $2,500 and include a complimentary promotional booth, signage opportunities, and support of the ArtsKC Fund through a tax-deductible donation.

RENT A BOOTH: Any artist or arts-related organization may register to participate by hosting a promotional booth or a family-friendly art project. Registration is $50. Click here to sign up! Contact Lydia at Zacharias@ArtsKC.org with any questions.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors:

First Friday FREE Performance

Victor & Penny

October First Friday ArtsKC Fund Feature: Victor & Penny.

Victor & Penny put a unique and charming twist on 1920s jazz, with Erin on the ukulele and Jeff on guitar, accompanied by some soulful vocals.

The pop duo from Kansas City, MO, is made up of Erin McGrane from George Clooney's "Up in the Air" and the cabaret troupe Alacartoona, as well as Jeff Freling from the Chicago Blue Man Group. In 2008 the group Alacartoona was an ArtsKC Inspiration Grant Recipient.

Watch a short video of the lovely duo here.

ArtsKC will be open from 5-9 p.m. Visual artist Chris Willey's work continues as the visual art exhibition through Oct. 17th.

$282,647 in grants to local arts organizations and programs made possible with YOUR support!

From left: 5 Star Jazz Band, Alvin Ailey's Ailey Camp, and Mattie Rhodes.

This year ArtsKC has awarded $282,647 in grants to local arts organizations and arts programs through the ArtsKC Fund in the Catalyst and Ovation grant categories. ArtsKC Fund grants provide support not only for the general operations of some of Kansas City's most well-known arts organizations, but also for special programs that address issues of diversity, education, accessibility, and engagement.

ArtsKC Fund Ovation grants represent a source of sustainable funding for participants. Catalyst recipients apply each year and receive extensive coaching through the application process, an added benefit of the grant process.

Check out a full list of this year's recipients by visiting http://artskc.org/2014-artskc-fund-ovation-catalyst-grants-announced/.

Our Corporate Arts Partner: Sprint

For the past seven years, Sprint has hosted an art competition on their Overland Park campus for employees to share their talent and creativity with their colleagues. The winners of the competition then move on to share these talents through ArtsKC at Work. And Sprint recently received the 2014 Most Artistic Company Award through the ArtsKC at Work program. The company also hosted an ArtsKC Now Showing at the Sprint Accelerator in the Crossroads District.

Sprint's commitment to the arts and the Kansas City community extends well beyond their support of ArtsKC. Through Sprint's corporate responsibility program, Sprint Good

WorksSM, Sprint, their employees and the Sprint Foundation demonstrate how good deeds can create positive change in the world. Sprint supports other local arts and culture organizations such as Starlight Theatre, Kansas City Ballet, American Jazz Museum, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and many more.

"At Sprint, we work diligently to strengthen our hometown community," said Debby Ballard, Director - Community Affairs at Sprint. "We know that the arts help communities and employees thrive, so we are proud to support the arts and arts education in Kansas City. We are also thrilled that the amazing artistic talent and creativity of our employees was recently recognized with the 'Most Artistic Company Award'. Congratulations to all of our employees who participated in ArtsKC at Work!"

Staff Picks - Paul Tyler, Grants Director

There's always a bountiful harvest of extraordinary arts experiences to choose from in the fall, with so many of our top-notch performing arts groups getting their new seasons underway!

My wife is a former professional ballet dancer, so we're gleefully awaiting the start of Kansas City Ballet's season in mid-October with ALICE (in Wonderland), a full-length spectacular delight. KC Ballet has a number of new dancers in the company to welcome to town, and ALICE will be performed 7 times in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts from October 10 - 19. Maybe we will see you there!

As far as the visual arts go, who can't be intrigued by all the Native American teepees popping up all over town? The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth & Sky exhibition at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art opened on September 19th. I've heard nothing but rave reviews, but I've been too busy to check it out! I'll be visiting in the next few weeks, while the weather is still perfect for a stroll through the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park.

Finally, I know this is October, but I just found out about an event on the first weekend in November that has my heart racing: a new dramatic work celebrating the life of a truly unique singer/songwriter, Jacques Brel: The Music of a Legend. I've been a Jacques Brel fan for decades and can't wait to hear his songs again, with new arrangements by Brad Cox, played by Tango Lorca, and sung by Shay Estes, Jessalyn Kincaid, Lucas Pherigo, and Justin McCoy. Three performances only, at the Off Center Theatre in Crown Center, on November 7th and 8th -- thank you, Musical Theatre Heritage, for this extraordinary treat!

Photo credit: Tom Styrkowicz, 53Tom.com

ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council | 816-221-1777 | www.artskc.org

106 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108.