Proposed KCMO Budget Cuts Funding for Arts & Innovation

Earlier this month, Mayor Lucas submitted his proposed budget for the City of Kansas City, Missouri.  Click here to read the transmittal letter which summarizes the budget and click here to find the entire $1.73 billion budget. The budget provides funding for increases to Public Safety for more police officers, increases to Public Works for street repairs, increases to Neighborhood and Housing Services for trash collection and recycling, and also provides $4.8 million for free transit. This laudable effort focuses on improving basic services and deferred maintenance.

Unfortunately, the proposed budget also recommends defunding the Office of Culture & Creative Services, decreasing funding for the Film Office and local film incentives, decreasing funding for ArtsTech, decreasing funding for the Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund which supports many cultural activities and decreasing funding for other small business and innovation efforts.

In 2013, the City adopted the citizen-led Arts Convergence Plan, the first cultural master plan for our city which also established the Office of Culture and Creative Services.  This plan was the result of a huge community process and should not be disregarded.  Additionally, if the Office of Culture and Creative Services is dismantled, we will fall behind our peer cities who all have similar offices that provide benefits to their citizens.

The Art in the Loop Foundation supports retaining Kansas City’s Office of Culture and Creative Services and KC Film Office’s Incentive program.  These programs ensure arts, culture and creativity have a voice across City Departments and have reaped dividends for the citizens and businesses of Kansas City.  According to ArtsKC’s recent analysis:

A dedicated office of culture and creative services inspires and drives:

  • $250 million in arts and culture economic impact in KCMO
  • $20 million in direct government revenue for the City of Kansas City, MO
  • 8,000 jobs in the City of Kansas City, MO

The KC Film Office’s incentive program has:

  • Given project assistance to more than 1,000 projects, with an economic impact of $50 million.
  • Incentivized film projects to hire locally, creating thousands of job opportunities in 6 years.
  • Given bonuses to projects that feature local artists or organizations—further boosting our area.

We stand with our local artists and creatives in requesting Kansas City’s Mayor and City Council to continue investment in these programs.  Click here for additional information: KCMO Budget Advocacy Packet.

There is still time to show your support for the arts.  The City has two more budget hearings scheduled – these meetings allow time for citizens to share their concerns:

  • Saturday, February 29, 9-11 a.m., Southeast Community Center
  • Wednesday, March 3, 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m., KCMO Health Department

We encourage you to attend these meetings and let your voice be heard.

 

 

 

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KCMO Seeks “Project Advisory Artists” for New KCI Terminal

The Kansas City Aviation Department (KCAD) and Paslay Management Group (PMG), in coordination with the City of Kansas City Missouri’s One Percent for Art Program, are seeking up to five (5) Kansas City metro-based professional artists (visual and/or performance) to innovatively and thoughtfully collaborate and contribute to the design process for the New Terminal and Parking at KCI. This is a meaningful opportunity for Kansas City-based artists to participate in a significant design process for a major city project.

Up to five (5) Project Advisory Artists will be contracted to participate and will serve on the design planning team with KCAD staff, KCMO City staff, stakeholders and additional sub-consultants.

Length of Commitment: The anticipated length for the Project Advisory Artists’ involvement is three months (approx. 30 hours), approximately March 2020 through May 2020.

Compensation: The total budget available per each Project Advisory Artist for this project is not to exceed $3,000. Each Project Advisory Artist will be contracted at $100/hour, not to exceed $3,000. This is inclusive of all time at meetings and any expenses such as transportation to the meetings or other reimbursables.

For eligibility and to learn more, visit http://city.kcmo.org/kc/Ads/Default.aspx. In the AD CATEGORY pull-down menu, go to “Art RFQ/Ps.” Press the search button. In the next window, press the Attachments button, and then download “Project No. 62180498 – RFQ/P – New Single Terminal Airport – Consulting Individuals with Artistic Background.” To submit your qualifications, follow the instructions inside the RFQ document. Please submit the requested materials and inquiries to .

Submissions due by 5:00pm CST February 21, 2020

Please note that the participating Project Advisory Artists will not be eligible to submit for the One Percent (1%) for Art Program for the New Single Terminal and Parking at KCI project.

For more FAQ information, visit https://www.buildkci.com/public-art-program/.

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2020 Art in the Loop Information Sessions – Tues. 2/11 and Wed. 2/12

Interested in learning more about the 2020 Art in the Loop Call for Artists?  Join us at one of the following information session to learn more about the process:

Tuesday, February 11
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Capsule
1664 Broadway
Click here to RSVP

Wednesday, February 12
12 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
KC Streetcar – “Kite” Singleton Yard
600 East 3rd Street
(This session will include a brief tour and is limited to 25)
Click here to RSVP

The Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) is seeking artists to engage the community through an exhibition of public artwork and performances along the KC Streetcar route in Downtown Kansas City from May 1 through September 30, 2020.  Artists using all media are encouraged to apply.

This year artists may submit proposals for one of three categories, KC Streetcar Stop Call, Open Call Along the KC Streetcar Route, or Wrap a Streetcar + Big Idea Call. Artists are encouraged to read the new call for artists which can be found at https://www.artintheloop.com/opportunities/2020-call-for-artists/

The application requires a written description of your proposal, budget and a short narrative about your goals for public engagement.  The deadline for submissions is Monday, February 17, 11:59 CST.  Applications must be made online via the application portal.

For information about eligibility, selection process, evaluation criteria and important dates, review the application guidelines.

Applicants are encouraged to learn about artist projects from previous years.  Annual catalogs from past years programs can be found here.

Questions may be directed to Art in the Loop Art Director, Bo Hubbard, bhubbard@kcai.edu, or Program Director, Ann Holliday, ann@downtownkc.org.

 

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