In the News
(CNN) — As pretty on the eyes as they are dramatic on the ears.
That’s how we should appreciate some of the world’s concert halls, according to building data company Emporis.
The Hamburg-based company has put together a list of what it’s calling the world’s most spectacular concert halls.
“These days concert halls also have remarkable architecture, offering audiences a great show even before they have taken their seats,” the report said. Click Here to View Article on CNN.com
It’s an honor to be recognized with the other amazing international performing arts venues. Thanks to the vision of Muriel Kauffman, the determination of Julia Irene Kauffman, and the support of an entire community, what started as a Moshe Safdie sketch on a napkin became a reality.
Jane Chu, President & CEO
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Thanks to generous donations from individual community members, we offer outstanding programming and support the excellent work of our resident companies. To learn how you can support this effort, click here.
The GRAMMY Museum encourages Greater Kansas City-area students ages 14-21 to apply.
Apply for the 2014 GRAMMY Museum Music Revolution Project, deadline March 21st!
The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project will offer creative and gifted musicians the opportunity to engage in musical discourse and performance with other talented young people from their area. High school students from genres including classical, jazz, pop, Hip-Hop, folk, sacred and Rock & Roll, will be encouraged to apply to this world-class music academy, created to broaden their musical and creative skill while helping them establish relationships, increase self-esteem, develop entrepreneurial skills and grow their passion for music. This four-week summer academy will begin in Kansas City on June 16, 2014 and culminate on July 11, 2014 with a formal student concert for their family, friends and community. Students will participate in music history and composition classes; have mentoring sessions with GRAMMY Award nominees or winners and form ensembles with their fellow classmates.
Forms –Everything you need to apply
Registration Form (PDF)
Student Criteria (PDF)
Student Contract (PDF)
Parent Contract (PDF)
Music Revolution Project FAQs (PDF)
The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project is open to interested students ages 14-21 from the Greater Kansas City area. The deadline for application is March 21st, so apply today!
KWTU’s program Sunflower Journeys highlighted the Kauffman Center in their episode “Music Venues,” which aired on October 31. As they note, “It’s been a busy season for the newly-opened Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts as SUNFLOWER JOURNEYS takes a look at this world-class facility, meets the center’s director Jane Chu, and finds out how the center fits into the musical culture of Kansas City and the region.”
The video gives you a behind the scenes look at the Kauffman Center, check out the segment below, and come to a performance at the Kauffman Center to experience it for yourself!
Watch the video
The GRAMMY Museum encourages Greater Kansas City-area students ages 14-21 to apply.
The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project debuted in Kansas City last year and, after a successful pilot summer in 2012, Bob Santelli, Executive Director for the GRAMMY Museum, has announced the program’s return for another stint in Kansas City beginning in June.
Designed as an intensive curriculum for young musicians, The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project invites students to engage with other young people to hone their musical talents through a four-week rigorous musical discourse. Last year, 24 Kansas City-area musicians spent the hottest part of their summers in the cool practice rooms of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, sharpening their skills in concentrated workshops with peers and GRAMMY-level artists.
While cultivating a passion for music, students learn practical, entrepreneurial skills and develop relationships working with GRAMMY-level artists. Rehearsals and mentorships boost the students’ enthusiasm for performance while increasing self-esteem. Students participate in a variety of composition and music history classes, ending with a concert showcasing all of their hard work in July.
Just last weekend, the debut Music Revolution class got back together to attend the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. While not all future Music Revolution classes will attend the Grammy Awards, it is our hope that opportunities and connections provided to students of the Music Revolution Project might one day lead to a future in the arts.
The Music Revolution Project commits to developing students with interests in a variety of musical genres. From Rock & Roll, to classical, folk, and hip-hop and pop, the GRAMMY Museum encourages Greater Kansas City area high school and college students serious in pursuing their musical talents to apply.
The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project is open to interested students ages 14-21 from the Greater Kansas City area. All materials must be submitted by March 22, 2013.
Questions? email education@grammymuseum.org
** Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts celebrates its first year with a review of key milestones, memorable moments and a look at what is planned for year two **
KANSAS CITY, MO – On Sept. 16, 2011, Kansas City gained worldwide attention with the opening of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, designed by award-winning architect Moshe Safdie. One year later, the Kauffman Center has much to celebrate, including artistic successes and increased outreach into the community.
After more than 300 performances in year one, the Kauffman Center has welcomed more than 475,000 people through its doors. The Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony and Lyric Opera of Kansas City, along with numerous other community arts organizations, have experienced increased attendance, enhanced technical capabilities and the opportunity to showcase their artistry and expanded repertoire in an intimate setting designed to connect artists with audiences like never before.
“Since the Kauffman Center’s opening last fall, hundreds of thousands of people have attended events at the Center and experienced the impact of the arts in our community,” says Julia Irene Kauffman, chairman of the Kauffman Center’s board of directors. “Providing extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences is at the heart of what we do each day. We strongly believe that at the Kauffman Center there is something for everyone, and we will continue to work toward providing enriching arts opportunities for audiences of all ages.”
As a testament to the Kauffman Center’s commitment to serving everyone in the community, in its first year it hosted many free events and performances, including open dress rehearsals, Kansas City Library programs and master classes. Audiences were able to experience performances priced from $15 to $35, like the popular National Geographic Live series, part of Kauffman Center Presents.
The Kauffman Center’s aim to provide excellence performing arts experiences is illustrated by a commitment to diverse programming emphasizing extraordinary artists that reach audiences throughout and beyond the Kansas City region.
“Rounding out Kansas City’s already great range of artistic offerings was an important goal for us,” says Chu. “Our Kauffman Center Presents series was specifically designed to complement the programming offered by other arts organizations so that audiences, artistic options and even ticket prices were diverse.”
During its first season, the Kauffman Center brought in a memorable lineup of performing artists at the top of their class: Plácido Domingo, Itzhak Perlman, Diana Krall, Laurie Anderson, Lily Tomlin, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Chieftains, Philip Glass and Aretha Franklin, among many others. Audiences for the second season of Kauffman Center Presents have already experienced show-stopping performances by Willie Nelson and Bernadette Peters, while other great artists are still to come this year. Pop icon Frankie Valli performs this month, and Grammy Award-winning Jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding and virtuosic organist Cameron Carpenter will arrive at the Kauffman Center later in the fall. Looking further ahead, 2013 will bring performances by SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK, Carol Burnett, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and the much-anticipated return of the National Geographic Live speaker series.
Chairman Julia Irene Kauffman’s goal to offer broad access to the community is emphasized in the Kauffman Center’s Open Doors initiative. Through the Open Doors Transportation Fund and Open Doors Tickets, more than 29,000 students were able to attend a performance this year, many from urban schools. Funds were raised for Open Doors tickets in order to underwrite tickets for disadvantaged individuals, distributed through local nonprofit organizations. These outreach programs will continue to serve students and local agencies in season two.
One of the highlights of summer activity was a pilot program of the GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolutions Project, a brand-new educational initiative that stimulated creative young musicians by connecting them with GRAMMY-level artists. Created with generous support from AEG, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and The Recording Academy, The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project provided 24 young local artists the opportunity to participate in an intensive, four-week curriculum including instruction, rehearsals and mentoring at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Sprint Center.
Along with all of the successes of its inaugural year, the Kauffman Center and the Kansas City region received national and international attention for supporting the arts. “The reviews were glowing and that is satisfying,” says Julia Irene Kauffman, “but what I appreciate most is the pride our community feels. People tell me they feel part of this place, and they should. It has been a joint effort every step of the way.”
Kauffman Center’s Inaugural Year at a Glance
• More than 475,000 people attended Kauffman Center events.
• More than 300 performances occurred in the first year.
• More than 200 community or private social events were held.
• An average of 268 people took a Kauffman Center tour each week.
• 29,000 school children from 27 school districts were given the opportunity to experience a student matinee at the Kauffman Center.
Coming soon to Kauffman Center Presents
• Sept. 25: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons | Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• Oct. 9: Esperanza Spalding – Radio Music Society | Helzberg Hall
• Nov. 4: Cameron Carpenter, Organist | Helzberg Hall
• Jan. 30: Sweet Honey in the Rock | Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• Feb. 14: Laughter and Reflection with Carol Burnett | Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• February through May: National Geographic Live speaker series
• New programs will be announced throughout the year. Sign up for email updates and get exclusive presale offers.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Larry Jacob
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
(816) 308-8703
larry@doverstrategygroup.com
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