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
ArtsKC Announces Thursday Night Arts- A Virtual Night with the Artists
January 27, 2021 – ArtsKC – Regional Arts Council partners with KC Crew to bring the free multi-week series, Thursday Night Arts, to the community. This revamp of the original program, which originally aired in the spring of 2020, brings four artists to the virtual stage each week to showcase talents, disciplines, and work. The pandemic impacted artists and arts organizations across the country, making it a priority for ArtsKC and others to support artists with programming. This program bridges the gap between community members and creatives during isolation by offering free space where talents can be showcased. “Right now, many of us want to attend in-person events, but the risk is just too great. We want to make sure we are still providing our community with an opportunity to stay connected while still hard to convene in large groups. Similarly, we are trying to provide artists with an opportunity to continue showcasing their art, receive monetary support, and be involved,” said ArtsKC CEO and President, Dana Knapp. From January- March 2021, join Thursday Night Arts to hear from four different local Kansas City artists and musicians directly from their home studios. Each free showcase provides audience members an opportunity to get intimate with their favorite local creatives, listen to their stories and see exclusive pieces of work. A new artist goes live every 30 minutes to interact with the virtual audience. Thursday Night Arts provides all community members a safe and free way to enjoy the arts virtually amid the pandemic. While First Fridays, annual art fairs, and events are on hold, art lovers can still touch artists. ArtsKC and KC Crew’s efforts are supported by grants from Evergy and The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Thanks to their support, participating artists are paid for their time, and the program is funded for three months. Arie Monroe, a caricature and comic book artist, participated in a recent Thursday Night Arts showcase. “It was a wonderful experience, and it was great to learn about all the amazing creators’ areas that I had no idea were here. Learning their story and seeing how their work is impacting others was such a treasure. Being allowed to talk about and share my own unique abilities with others was a great experience. Thank you so much for providing this wonderful platform,” said Monroe. The next Thursday Night Arts showcase is set to premiere on February 4, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Featured artists include Ryan Wilks, Vania Soto, Lee Langston, and Vincent Orsolini. ### Contact: Leslie Escareno Communications & Program Associate LEscareno@artskc.org