ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council

Call for artists! As Barney Allis Plaza undergoes a transformative redesign, City of Kansas City, MO seeks a visionary artist or artist team to shape its future. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is now open, inviting artists from around the world to submit their qualifications for this vibrant downtown plaza. Barney Allis Plaza is Kansas City’s front door—a place where the community and visitors from around the world are welcomed into the heart of the city. This one-square-block urban park, elevated above the Auditorium Parking Garage, is undergoing a complete redesign and reconstruction, transforming it into a beacon of creativity and civic pride. Framed by the Kansas City Convention Center, the historic Folly Theater, and a skyline of hotels and offices, it will become a central hub of activity and connection. To bring this vision to life, Petrichor Projects, led by Tiffany Meesha Thompson, EMBA, will serve as the curatorial arts consultant, collaborating with the design and construction teams to ensure art is thoughtfully woven into the site. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g2nJfq9x

Art belongs where people work, meet, and gather, and Now Showing makes that happen. This ArtsKC program places local visual artwork in business spaces across the Kansas City metro, offering a platform for artists to showcase and sell their work. At Moss Adams, Danika has been building her own collection. She recently purchased a piece by Holly Ann Schenk, her third from artists who have exhibited in their space. These connections are exactly why Now Showing exists! Learn more about Now Showing: https://lnkd.in/g8iVXdc4

Join us for the next Accessible Arts Greater Kansas City Workshop on 2/27! This workshop, led by Nick Carswell, program manager at Audio-Reader Network, will provide an overview of the impact of audio description, followed by a panel discussion featuring arts presenters who offer the service and the patrons who benefit from it. Attend in-person at ArtsKC or virtually via Zoom. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gpgr9ppe AAGKC is an initiative developed by The Whole Person in partnership with the Missouri Arts Council, led by ArtsKC. AAGKC aims to improve the Kansas City arts environment by engaging people with all types of disabilities in meaningful arts experiences. #ArtsKC #WhoNeedsArt #Accessibility #AAGKC

Missouri Arts Advocacy Day 2025 was a powerful reminder that the arts are essential to our state’s future. Advocates across Missouri came together at the Capitol to call for increased support for the arts—critical funding that drives arts education, community engagement, the music economy, arts and health initiatives, and the development of local arts agencies. Thank you to the legislators who took the time to meet with us and advocate for the arts as a vital part of Missouri’s communities and economy! #MissouriArtsAdvocacyDay2025 #AdvocateForTheArts #ArtsKC25 #KCMO

Happy February! Here are some important dates and deadlines to remember for the month ahead: ??Missouri Arts Advocacy Day at the Capitol is this week! If you registered to travel with us, keep an eye on your inbox for more information. ??The Community Gallery Program application closes on February 18th. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gPANkzCU ??The deadline to apply for an Inspiration Grant is February 25th. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gH8nYfS6 ??Our next AAGKC Workshop is on February 27th! Nick Carswell, program manager of the Audio-Reader Network will share how audio description can make arts experiences accessible to individuals with disabilities. RSVP: https://bit.ly/40C4dOO Sign up for our newsletters to get dates and deadlines sent right to your inbox each month! #ArtsKC #ArtsGrants #KCMO #MOArt #KSArt #AAGKC #Workshop #ArtsAdvocacy

The arts are a powerful bridge between the past and the future, carrying the stories, traditions, and identities of communities across generations. Through all art forms, cultural heritage is not only preserved—it’s kept alive and shared. From murals that tell the histories of our neighborhoods to performances that celebrate ancestral traditions, the arts ensure that cultural legacies are honored and passed forward. They remind us where we’ve been, who we are, and how to build a more connected future. #ArtsKC25 #WhyTheArtsMatter #SupportTheArts #KCMO

Sometimes, art *literally* moves you. For one Jackson County resident, our arts community was the main reason they made the metro their home! Learn more about the power of the arts in the Kansas City region at ArtsKC.org. ? ? ? ? Testimonial from Our Tomorrows SenseMaker Survey respondent, 2021

Many factors influence where people move—and, more importantly, where they stay. Community Ties, a report commissioned by the Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute, shows that residents who prioritize quality of life when choosing a community are more likely to form lasting attachments to that place. The arts are crucial in building social connections, promoting inclusivity, supporting education, and more—creating vibrant, engaging environments that enhance quality of life. Through our programs, we’ve worked to expand equitable access to the arts in the Kansas City region, helping make the metro a place where people want to stay. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/g9nsGAX #ArtsKC25 #WhyTheArtsMatter #InvestInTheArts #CommunityImpact #KCMO #MOArt #KSArt

Congratulations to Arts As Mentorship (A.M.), Charlotte Street, Coterie Theatre, Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA), Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, NO DIVIDE KC, Spinning Tree Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, and Folk Alliance International for receiving grants from the National Endowment for the Arts! We're excited to see the impact these grants will have on our local arts scene.

We're #hiring a Vice President of Advancement in Kansas City, Missouri! This new role will expertly lead our development and marketing efforts to ensure inclusive and equitable participation in the arts. Use the link below to read the full job description.