What has been your company's involvement in the arts?

As a partner in the communities where we live and work, Black & Veatch supports a broad range of charitable, educational and cultural efforts.  This support, provided through donations of time and talent of our professionals and financial support from our Building a World of Difference Foundation, helps make our communities stronger.  This includes art events and programs that Black & Veatch sponsors and that our professionals attend and participate in. The company believes that the arts are a very important part to building an environment where people choose to live and work, and when combined with other efforts, offers a powerful combination that adds to a diverse culture.

What does supporting the arts mean to Black & Veatch?

As a global engineering and construction company we tend to focus on (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math related efforts in our day-to-day operations. However, we are now realizing the value of a (STEAM) Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math education in our new recruits. The value created from this diverse mix of programs and support of the arts is one of the things that help attract a great mix of Black & Veatch professionals and results in this being a great place to work and our communities being a preferred place to live. Strong sustainable metropolitan communities have the arts as one of their cornerstones for success. Art encourages free expression of ideas and concepts and is a common thread among all professions. Corporate social responsibility aligns community engagement and the arts together as one of the ways that we give back to our professionals and our community.

How do creativity and innovation impact your company?

The innovation and creativity of our more than 10,000 professionals from over 100 offices around the world are shown in addressing the world's energy, water and communications infrastructure needs. Our technical and construction professionals, who focus on attention to detail, also see the amazing detail in the arts.  We see a lot of "left" and now "right" brain thinking and that helps make sure we are not only a culturally diverse place to work, but that the solutions we provide are innovative, reliable and sustainable. 

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I do love the holiday season - decorating the tree, baking cookies, driving around looking at all the lights - and so much more! The holidays also offer an abundance of ways to share the joy with friends and family while enjoying the arts.

My first pick is The Snow Globes Featuring The Quixotic School of Performing Arts on Dec. 12th and 13th. The Snow Globes, a folk-based trio, write, arrange and perform their own original Christmas material as well as classics of the holiday season. This year they will incorporate aerial and dance into their joyful show, teaming up with students from the Quixotic School of Performing Arts. While I had not checked them out in past years, I've had them recommended to me and plan to check it out as an avid fan of all things Quixotic.

For my second pick, I've selected something for the kiddos. My nephews have so many toys and I don't want to lose my "Cool Aunt" title by buying them socks - so this year I purchased two tickets to Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer: The Musical at the The Coterie for me and my four-year-old best friend!

Speaking of giving art this holiday season, my last pick is to suggest that you explore the work of some of Kansas City's amazing visual artists as presents for your loved ones. Some of my favorites include; Chris Dahlquist, Joe Bussell, and Daniel Bartle(Lucid Arts).

 

Photo credit: Tom Styrkowicz, 53Tom.com