Contributing Writer

Inspiration in the Time of COVID-19

For UMKC Conservatory faculty, staff and students, it has been almost two months since we were last together on campus. Our thriving community of music, dance and theatre was brought to an abrupt halt by COVID-19, as we were facing the same situation as many arts organizations around the country were: How do we move […]

Nelson-Atkins Prepares to Welcome Visitors After Closure

Nelson-Atkins Prepares to Welcome Visitors After Closure

We are living in a world that changes from one day to the next, in ways that we previously would not have believed possible. A global pandemic has upended life as we knew it. The chants of protesters fill streets here at home, across the nation, and across the globe. In the past, the visual […]

Sojourn in Salonica

Sojourn in Salonica

Like all cultural institutions, the National WWI Museum and Memorial faced challenging decisions with the COVID-19 outbreak. Out of concern for the well-being of staff, volunteers and guests the Museum and Memorial was closed in mid-March.

Library Takes Stock of its Expansive Collection and Legacy of Art

Library Takes Stock of its Expansive Collection and Legacy of Art

Kansas City’s embrace of art traces to the late 19th century and, unsurprisingly, William Rockhill Nelson. Intent on instilling cultural refinement in his budding metropolis, The Kansas City Star co-founder donated a collection of oil reproductions, casts of sculptures and some 500 framed photographs to the Kansas City Art Association in 1896. It gave birth […]

Soundies: Access Through the Marriage of Talent and Technology

Soundies: Access Through the Marriage of Talent and Technology

We are in a new era, where museums must maintain a digital presence. The online experience must be equal in quality to visiting the physical space. We are looking at audience engagement from a new lens, recognizing the digital access needs of our audience. Prioritizing accessibility in the presentation of art has always been a […]