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Author: ArtsKC

Groundbreaking Study Reveals Economic and Social Impact of $615 Million from the Nonprofit Arts and Culture Sector throughout Greater Kansas City

ArtsKC – Regional Arts Council, is proud to announce that the nonprofit arts and culture industry in Greater Kansas City generated a staggering $615,192,367 in economic activity in 2023, as revealed by the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study conducted by Americans for the Arts. This data underscores the crucial role of nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties in Missouri and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, contributing significantly to our region’s vibrancy and economic vitality and directly impacting our local communities. The economic impact of the arts in the KC Metro showcased impactful figures that continue to demonstrate how the arts play a bigger role in our society, economy, and culture. This data demonstrates the need for our artists and arts organizations to ‘sit at the table’ with community leaders and to ensure arts and culture are integral to community and economic development conversations. This study provides a factual, direct way to solidify the importance of arts and culture in our region, enhancing their role in substantively addressing key opportunities, challenges, and topics present in our community. “The arts create jobs, enhance tourism, advance education, attract investment in our region, and play a role in the health and wellness of our society; the economic impact of arts and culture is powerful,” said Dana Knapp, President and CEO of ArtsKC. “This data continues to showcase the value of the arts. Our mission at ArtsKC is to advance lives through the arts and leading this important study is only one way we elevate and advocate for the arts and culture ecosystem in Kansas City.” The stats below represent data from 279 organizations from five counties in the Greater KC Metro area (Wyandotte, Johnson, Jackson, Platte, and Clay). The following are just some of the results reported for area nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences: Engaging over 4.5 million attendees annually, the sector plays a pivotal role in our local economy. The nonprofit arts and culture industry generates annually $179.9 million in event-related spending by its audiences, an 86% increase from 2015 (up from $96.6 Million) The typical attendee spends $37.06 per person per event, not including the cost of admission. 88.8% of respondents agreed that the activity or venue they attended was “a source of neighborhood pride for the community.” 85% said they would “feel a sense of loss if that activity or venue was no longer available.” State-wide, the nonprofit arts and culture sector is an $11 billion industry in Missouri and a $4 billion industry in Kansas. This staggering number outperforms more conventional players like utilities, agriculture, and mining when it comes to the Gross State Product (GSP). The arts quietly but significantly shape the economic scene, showing they’re a formidable force in our financial landscape. “Arts and culture organizations have a powerful ability to attract and hold dollars in the community longer. They employ people locally, purchase goods and services from nearby businesses, and produce the authentic cultural experiences that are magnets for visitors, tourists, and new residents,” said Nolen V. Bivens, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “When we invest in nonprofit arts and culture, we strengthen our economy and build more livable communities.” ArtsKC also recently unveiled its Regional Arts Impact Dashboard, a new tool providing a comprehensive view of the social and economic impact of our region’s nonprofit arts sector, along with key societal and community demographics. Featuring arts asset maps, social impact stories, findings from 2023’s Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study, and more, this tool presents a cohesive story of the arts in our region. It is free for the community to utilize.    

ArtsKC Announces Pilot Launch of The Drop

ArtsKC—Regional Arts Council announces the pilot of The Drop, a regional arts & culture access program designed to break down the barriers to participation for individuals who do not typically participate or have been excluded from experiencing the arts. With support from the Marion & Henry Bloch Family Foundation, The Drop reduces the cost of participation, enlists community-based organizations to serve as outreach partners, and provides know-before-you-go information to establish familiarity, all creating a stronger sense of belonging toward a wide variety of events offered by the Kansas City arts & culture community. During the pilot phase of the program, participating Arts & Culture Organizations will offer various Drop member benefits: $10 tickets to performances, exhibitions, and events, free parking vouchers, or concession discounts. Pilot Drop Membership Cards will be distributed by 11 community service organizations we have identified as Community Ambassadors. They will provide outreach and promotion for the program, inviting those they serve to join The Drop. To ensure there is no financial burden for arts organizations, ArtsKC covers 100% of the discounts offered by The Drop. In short, we’re making a difference by paying the difference. ArtsKC is thrilled to launch the pilot phase of this transformative program. We look forward to working with our initial partners and members as we continue learning how to remove barriers and advance access to the arts for all. Participating arts & culture organizations at the launch of the pilot phase of The Drop: Ensemble Ibérica Heart of America Shakespeare Festival ICE Studios School of Dance Kansas City Repertory Theatre KC Melting Pot Theatre Lyric Opera of Kansas City Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Spinning Tree Theatre Starlight Theatre The National WWI Museum & Memorial The Drop officially “drops” after the new year in 2024.

ArtsKC & Kansas City PBS Explore the Power of the Arts in New Local Special

March 18, 2022 – ArtsKC, Kansas City’s nonprofit regional arts council, and Kansas City PBS, are proud to partner on a new hour-long special, Art Moves Us, premiering April 28, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Art Moves Us, presented by Blue KC and Spira Care, features captivating performances by local artists and riveting community interviews that explore how the arts nourish our sense of belonging, overall health, learning, and local economy.   This inaugural community celebration will showcase and connect audiences with the power of the arts in Kansas City.   A preview of Art Moves Us will premiere in AMC Theaters throughout the Kansas City region beginning March 18, 2022.   More information on Art Moves Us will be announced in April.   Find more information about Art Moves Us, visit kansascitypbs.org/artmovesus.     ###   Contact: Leslie Escareno Communications & Program Associate LEscareno@artskc.org

ArtsKC Announces 51 Organizations Receiving Mission Support Grants; With a Progressive Funding Approach

January 12, 2022 – ArtsKC announces 51 nonprofit arts organizations will receive Mission Support Grants totaling $255,160 in funding. ArtsKC holds a long-term commitment toward a progressive funding program that drives equity in the region and prioritizes funding for small-mid size, diverse-led organizations.   Small to mid-size organizations comprise the majority of the arts and culture impact in the Kansas City neighborhoods and regional communities. Organizations in this range often provide the first arts interaction community members have with the arts. ArtsKC directed 75%of Mission Support Grant funding to these organizations.   ArtsKC received generous funding support resulting in an increase in the overall average grant amount for all awardees and additional funding specifically for diverse led organizations throughout the region.   ArtsKC’s commitment to prioritizing diverse-led organizations will continue in organization grant applications, including Project Support grants.   “ArtsKC grantmaking program will remain dynamic and undergo regular review to ensure our investment is responsive to the community we are committed to serve,”  said ArtsKC CEO and President, Dana Knapp.   Mission Support Grants, formerly known as Catalyst Mission Grants, are general operating support for nonprofit arts organizations with the arts as their primary purpose. ArtsKC has awarded mission support grants since 2007 and works to improve the process each year through a progressive funding approach. Dedicated volunteers from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds review grant applications and select recipients in each grant category.   ###   Contact: Leslie Escareno Communications & Program Associate LEscareno@artskc.org

ArtsKC and Local Arts Community Members Launch Arts Awareness Campaign

July 20, 2021 –  ArtsKC – Regional Arts Council has launched a year-long campaign with a mission to elevate the importance of the arts’ contributions on individuals, social, and economic levels. The campaign was created after witnessing the devastation the COVID-19 pandemic had on the Kansas City arts community.    The Kansas City metro arts industry – which was thriving prior to the pandemic – faced many challenges because of shutdowns and stay-at-home orders:   In total, it is estimated that the local arts and culture sector suffered a loss of $18,755,525 in admission and revenue in 2020. Performing art groups such as musicians and actors faced more difficulty than those whose work easily transferred to a digital platform.  Unemployment rates for musicians, actors and dancers doubled between 2019 and 2020.    Working with local creative agency Design Ranch, ArtsKC is launching the #WhoNeedsArt campaign as artists and art organizations begin reopening their doors for the first time since 2020. In the past year, ArtsKC partnered with local artists, art organizations, and community members from various sectors to research and draft the main strategies of the campaign:   Help humanize the arts and remind our community that the arts are essential. Highlight events happening within the region. Encourage audiences to go back to the arts spaces, live performances, and support the art community in general.   To connect with the campaign and follow along with the vibrance of the arts community in Kansas City, visit https://campaign.artskc.org/.   Why the #WhoNeedsArt Campaign Matters   Throughout the pandemic, community members turned to the arts to find solace and comfort when isolation kept everyone apart. In fact, more than 76 percent of local artists reported their artistic practice has been used to help raise morale and create community cohesion throughout 2020.    “The arts touched the lives of many throughout the pandemic and continue to play a pivotal role in our society, the human experience, and the recovery plans in our region,” said Dana Knapp, president and CEO of ArtsKC. “Sadly, many artists reported a heavy income loss in 2020 and several local art organizations and communities were at risk of dissolving. To help reverse that trend and reengage the local community to support the arts, we are thrilled to launch the #WhoNeedsArt campaign.”   Kyla Pitts-Zevin, Northeast Community Center executive director, reiterated the importance of the arts saying, “We were faced with bridging the arts, access gap, and the digital divide in the city. We fundraised to provide tablets to families in need so they could continue to be a part of Harmony Project KC. The mental health and well-being of children is of critical importance, and so many of our children echoed sentiments that making music together lifted their spirits unlike anything else.”      ###   Contact: Leslie Escareno Communications & Program Associate LEscareno@artskc.org

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