Art in the Loop Announces 2024 Calls for Visual & Performing Artists

The Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) is in search of both visual and performing artists to bring their creativity to Downtown Kansas City for the 11th Annual Art in the Loop Project. Through a competitive, open-call process, AILF selects local artists to exhibit their artwork, create site-specific artwork, or perform along and near the KC Streetcar route as well as at other sites in Downtown Kansas City from May – November. 

2024 Theme: Convivencia

This year we are following the lead of the Kansas City Public Library, which brought Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow Tommi Laitio to kick off their year-long 150th Anniversary celebration. Laitio spoke on the importance of public spaces as places with convivencia – a Spanish word that means to coexist with others by sharing space and resources despite our differences. It can also be described as the space that exists between harmony and conflict. 

For 2024, Art in the Loop asks artists to respond to the word convivencia and what it means to them and their artwork. Convivencia is a shared life with others that is a constant practice, effort, negotiation, and joint achievement while recognizing friction or opposing energy. We recognize that artists and creatives are familiar with navigating space, energy, and time amongst one another and within their communities. 

Throughout Downtown Kansas City and on board the Kansas City Streetcar, we observe moments of convivencia through the interactions of visitors, residents, workers, and commuters. We invite artists to share how they practice or observe convivencia. We challenge artists to explore moments that demonstrate the act of joint achievement and negotiation, whether that be in an abstract or a representational sense. 

This year we ask artists to consider the following prompts: Can we be at ease with difference? How do we share space with our community while balancing both harmony and conflict? How does this tension inform our work and practice? We are looking for artists to respond to this word, feeling, and experience and to explore their vision of convivencia. 

The application requires a written description of your proposal, a concept, and a short narrative about your goals for public engagement. Stipends range from $250-$2,500 depending on the category. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 18, 11:59 CST. Applications must be made online via the application portal.

Visual Artists

AILF asks local artists to create temporary, site-specific work along and near the KC Streetcar route in Downtown Kansas City. Your artwork will be viewed by thousands of KC Streetcar riders and Downtowners daily! Selected artists will receive funds and project support to bring their artwork alive for a 6-month outdoor program. Click here for the call for visual artists. 

This year visual artists may submit proposals in 4 categories:

• KC Streetcar Wrap
• KC Streetcar Shelter (Within the Frame)
• KC Streetcar Shelter (Live Painting)
• KC Streetcar Sculpture + Shelter 

For information about eligibility, the selection process, evaluation criteria, and important dates, review the application guidelines. Applicants are also encouraged to learn about artist projects from previous years. Annual catalogs from past years’ programs can be found here. Questions may be directed to Visual Arts Director, Marissa Starke, marissastarke@gmail.com.

Performance Artists

This performance series will feature multi-sensory performances such as spoken word, dance, music, improv, social practice, etc., while also highlighting the visual artworks installed along the KC Streetcar route. Click here for the call for performance artists. 

Artists will receive a stipend for their work and selected artists will perform at one of six Art in the Loop events including 

• Art Car Reveal at Union StationKick-off Ceremony at the Kansas City Public Library Central Library
• Art Ride Event onboard KC Streetcar
• 816 Day at City Market
• Evening concert at Oppenstein Park 
• Closing Reception at the Kansas City Public Library Central Library 

For information about eligibility, the selection process, evaluation criteria, and important dates, review the application guidelines. Applicants are also encouraged to learn about artist projects from previous years. Annual catalogs from past years’ programs can be found here. Questions may be directed to Performance Art Director, Jade Osborne, jadeosborneart@gmail.com.

Information Sessions

Learn more about the calls at an information session (all meetings will be hybrid, in-person and Zoom):

• Wednesday, February 21 from 11 – 12 pm at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art –  Click here to register
• Thursday, February 22 from 6 – 7:00 pm, at InterUrban ArtHouse, 8001 Newton Street, Overland Park, KS – Click here to register
• Thursday, February 29, from 6 – 7 pm a the AI Hub 511 Delaware Street Suite 50 KCMO – Click here to register
• Wednesday, March 6 from 6 – 7 pm, at Charlotte Street Foundation, 3333 Wyoming Street – Click here to register

Community, Sponsors & Supporters

Artists have played a key role in the revitalization of Downtown Kansas City over the past few decades and this will continue. In the words of renowned local artist Michael Toombs,  “Through projects like Art in the Loop, Downtown KC is becoming part of a highly visible cultural landscape that reminds us of who we are, as well as inspires us in who we are yet to become.” We have unique opportunities for your organization to connect with the community and support local artists through sponsorships and charitable donations. 

We appreciate the generous support of the KC Streetcar Authority, Henderson Engineers, JE Dunn Construction, Stinson LLP, Copaken Brooks, UMB Bank, and the Kansas City Art Institute. This project is funded in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, as well as by awards from the Missouri Arts Council, ArtsKC, and the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts – Commerce Bank Trustee and other philanthropic supporters. 

For more information contact: Ann Holliday, ann@downtownkc.org, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Downtown Council and Executive Director of the Art in the Loop Foundation. 

For more information about the project and the artists, visit www.artintheloop.com, or www.facebook.com/artintheloop.