Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival | Risky Business by Nate Baranowksi | photo, courtesy of Mike Day
2017 Annual Report | July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017
IN FY2017, WE PROVIDED…
THE ARTS ORGANIZATIONS WE FUNDED…
View, download, and print the complete list of our FY2017 grants with specifics on funded projects, organized by cities
As a public leader, partner, and catalyst, we foster programs that meet our strategic goals.
Increased funding throughout Missouri from 88% to 95% of state House districts
Presented free workshops by Alzheimer’s Poetry Project founder Gary Glazner for people with memory issues, caregivers, students, and health professionals
Celebrated six culturally vital residents, organizations, and communities with our Missouri Arts Awards
Completed the statewide Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 study alongside local partners Columbia, Hannibal, Joplin, Kansas City, St. Joseph, St. Louis, and Springfield
Participated in Feels Like Home tour with the Department of Economic Development and Missouri Community Betterment to bring resources and strategies to rural Missouri
Presented at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development our Alchemy Award to the City of Kansas City’s Office of Culture and Creative Services for using the arts to boost the local economy
Provided arts integration training in St. Louis and Kansas City to educators and administrators
Visited the Arts Centered Education schools in Kansas City, Columbia, and Sedalia
Directed the Missouri program of the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest, with state champion Emily Bauer finishing as one of nine national finalists
BRINGING ART LITERALLY ONTO THE STREETS | Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival
Every weekend after Labor Day at the free Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival, blank squares of asphalt blossom into radiant works of art. As people stroll the walkways of Crown Center Square, they experience art being created before their eyes by hundreds of amateur and professional chalk artists. They also enjoy street performers, musicians, dancers, face painters, food trucks and more. A special area for children provides free chalk, places to draw, children’s entertainment, and mini-workshops by local nonprofits. The Festival also offers year-round arts education outreach programs.
IGNITING MEMORIES AND TOUCHING HEARTS | Big Muddy Dance Company
“Invigorating life through dance” is the motto of the Big Muddy Dance Company. Invigorating the lives of elderly people is the purpose of Big Muddy’s Senior Embrace program. Every year the St. Louis-based contemporary company travels to 25-30 retirement homes to perform, converse with residents, and conduct movement workshops. The 11 full-time dancers also teach a program for aspiring young professionals, a Summer Intensive, and open classes. Three major theatrical productions each season feature many commissioned works by both renowned and emerging choreographers.
CREATING AN ARTS HOME FOR A WHOLE COMMUNITY | Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau is one of more than 60 local arts councils throughout Missouri that support the arts in their communities. The Council’s monthly First Friday with the Arts gallery walks and annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit help further the revitalization of downtown. The Children’s Arts Festival showcases what arts teachers and their students are doing in their classrooms. The Council also produces classes, lectures, exhibits in its Visual Arts Cooperative Gallery, a plein air competition, a Christmas arts and crafts fair, and much more.
TAKING CLASSICAL MUSIC TO NEW HEIGHTS | Springfield Symphony Orchestra
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra keeps breaking records. 2016-17 was the fourth straight year that sales of single tickets beat the previous year’s. The orchestra scales these heights with growing artistic quality, enthusiastic outreach, and adventurous yet accessible programs in themed seasons promoted by high-spirited marketing. 2016-17 was Extreme Symphony—“intense, thrilling, edge-of-your-seat symphonic action.” The campaign included treats such as Beethoven skydiving for Extreme Joy and conductor Kyle Wiley Pickett swimming in his tuxedo for Extreme Aquatic Adventure.
CREATING MAGIC ON STAGE TO INSPIRE OFF STAGE | TRYPS Theatre Institute at Stephens College
The TYRPS Theatre Institute at Stephens College in Columbia works “to teach, reach, and inspire young audiences – not only about theater, but about life’s values.” Through classes, workshops, camps, and performances, children discover their creativity and themselves. Classes go from age 10 months through teens. Performances range from mini-revues for fellow students to full-blown public productions alongside TRYPS teachers and local actors. TRYPS stands for Theatre Reaching Young People and Schools, and programs include weekday shows for school groups and after-school enrichment.
PDF of the printed version of the FY2017 Annual Report