What started as a sketch on a napkin and became an iconic performance hub, the Kauffman Center draws world-class performers, internationally acclaimed artists and one-of-a-kind shows.
Whatever you want to see and hear, your performing arts center in Kansas City is the place to see and hear it at its best. It is the true home of excellence for everyone!
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The vision of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is to enrich the lives of everyone in our community through extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences.
The mission of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is to provide these extraordinary experiences through:
Showcase a wide variety of high quality programs through:
Create devoted constituents and enhance the level of satisfaction for all who come into our venue by:
Nurture love of the arts for present and future generations by:
The educational and community engagement programs created by the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts offer unprecedented access to arts experiences for young people and underserved audiences in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
The Kauffman Center’s programs contain many avenues that connect local youth and families to high quality arts experiences.
The creation of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts was more than a decade in the works.
The idea of a performing arts center in Kansas City was first discussed by the late Muriel McBrien Kauffman as early as 1994.
One year later, daughter and Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation Chairman, Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman, began exploring the project.
Five years later in 2000, after carefully choosing a location in the heart of downtown Kansas City, renowned architect Moshe Safdie was selected to design the facility.
Five years after the breaking of ground in 2006, Kauffman Center celebrated its grand opening in September 2011.
The Kauffman Center is a cultural cornerstone for extraordinary and diverse music, opera, theater and dance performances for Kansas City and the region. It hosts dance performances, operas, plays and Broadway tours and a wide range of musical performances, from chamber music to full orchestral concerts, jazz and pop, lectures and recitals.
Designed by internationally recognized architect Moshe Safdie, the Kauffman Center has been honored as one of the world’s 15 most beautiful concert halls, which attracts some of the most renowned performers and entertainers.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City is a true masterpiece of architectural design.
With its stunning glass and stainless-steel structure and state-of-the-art Muriel Kauffman Theatre and Helzberg Hall, this 285,000-square-foot performance center is the epitome of excellence in the world of performing arts. Its unique and harmonious design has earned it high praise from both attendees and renowned performers and artists, solidifying its position as one of the finest performing arts centers in the world.
The Kauffman Center is the performance home for three of the region’s leading performing arts organizations – Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Kansas City Symphony.
In addition, Kauffman Center Presents brings in performing artists at the top of their classes and our live-speaker series Trailblazing Talks curates exceptional photographers, scientists and filmmakers. Since opening, the Kauffman Center has offered over 3,100 performances and welcomed more than 4.5 million visitors.
The Kauffman Center is deeply committed to enriching the community through access to arts experiences and engagement initiatives. Since 2011, more than 450,000 students have attended school matinees at the Kauffman Center, with several schools utilizing the Transportation Fund, which helps to defray or eliminate the cost of bus transportation.
The Community Tickets program provides free public performance tickets to underserved audiences, as well as discounts for students, educators, seniors, veterans and military service members. The annual Future Stages Festival invites more than 650 young artists to perform on the Kauffman Center stages. Visitors of all ages enjoy free access to various performing arts experiences and interactive arts activities at the festival. Every year, the Kauffman Center also offers a variety of educational programs, including internships, educational tours, Career Center Stage and Backstage Intensives.
Mrs. K’s Vision is a short film created by Hallmark Cards Inc. in 2023 to commemorate the Kauffman Center’s many achievements in its young 12-year history and to celebrate those who helped make it happen.
Excellence
When we say “excellence for everyone,” we mean it in programming, service and accessibility. Everything that can possibly enhance the thrilling performing arts experiences you crave, you’ll find here.
Experience
From the breathtaking views in Brandmeyer Hall, to the amazing acoustics and design of the performance halls, every moment at the Kauffman Center sets the stage for enhanced experiences for audience and artist alike.
Exceptional
Just as the Kauffman Center’s iconic steel shell reflects Kansas City’s best, so does the team working within this amazing structure. They provide exceptional service and care, creating a sense of belonging for all in our communities.
Both the Board of Directors and the entire staff of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts strive to ensure that the building remains a home for outstanding performances for now and for decades to come.
We’re delighted to answer any of your questions and help you make the most of your Kauffman Center experience!
Volunteers are one of the Kauffman Center’s greatest assets. This dedicated group of community members generously shares their time to fill the 50+ shifts required for every performance.
We offer close and free parking during volunteer shifts, flexible scheduling, an excellent training program, social outings around Kansas City, special events hosted at the Kauffman Center and much, much more!
Every performance is supported by an excellent team! Check here for open positions at Kauffman Center and join a dedicated group of arts professionals.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is an equal opportunity employer.
Kauffman Center Presents
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Kauffman Center Presents
Josh Gates Live!
An Evening of Legends, Mysteries and Tales of Adventure
Kansas City Symphony Presents
Strauss' Alpine Symphony, with Chopin
The Freedom Affair in Concert
Free Members Concert & Holiday Reception
Kansas City Symphony Presents
Home Alone™ in Concert
Film + Live Orchestra
Millennial® Choirs & Orchestras Presents
Hear the Angel Voices
Kansas City Ballet Presents
The Nutcracker
Kansas City Symphony Presents
Handel's Messiah
Harriman-Jewell Series Presents
Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano with Kings Return and Craig Terry, piano
