Richard Harriman (1932-2010), co-founder of the Harriman-Jewell Series
The Harriman-Jewell Series just concluded its 60th anniversary season, a remarkable milestone for any arts organization. As the Series is about to embark on its 61st season, it’s looking to its artistic partnerships to strengthen the organization and help it continue its mission of bringing the world’s greatest music and dance to Kansas City.
“Relationship building between artists, our community, and the Series, is at the heart of what we do,” said Eryn Bates Kemp, executive director of the Harriman-Jewell Series, “and we’re creating new ways for the Kansas City community to engage with artists on the Series.”
Throughout its 60-year history, the Harriman-Jewell Series has continually evolved. While most of its performances today take place in the state-of-the-art Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts or the Folly Theater, its first performance in December 1965 was held in Gano Chapel on the William Jewell College campus. That program featured ballet superstars Patricia McBride and Edward Villella.
Clark Morris, artistic director of the Series, recalled how the idea for that first concert was born.
“Richard (Harriman) walked backstage at the New York City Ballet to find Edward Villella and said, ‘Would you like to come to Kansas City?’ Booking artists has changed since then, but Richard’s perspective on artist engagement is foundational to how we work with artists now.”
Bates Kemp added that in the Harriman-Jewell archives there are letters between Harriman, the founder of the Series, and Villella arranging flights.
“It’s extraordinary,” Bates Kemp said, “to consider Richard’s ability to convince and encourage artists for the benefit of our local audiences. He was undeniably special. But that legacy has to continue for the Series moving forward because the connection our community feels to our artists is vital to what we do.”
The personal relationships which Harriman-Jewell has nurtured over the years result in many one-of-a-kind concerts. For example, on May 28, the Series will present pianist Evgeny Kissin, violinist Joshua Bell, and cellist Steven Isserlis.
“I call that a once-in-a-lifetime trio,” Morris said. “The reason they’re coming is that a manager we’ve worked with for 35 years called us and said, ‘I have a very special opportunity and thought of you.’ I know there are series across the country that do it very differently. There’s an agency somewhere that programs it all for them and it’s a hands-off, AI-version of an art series. That’s not our team’s approach. And that’s because of the legacy of co-founders Richard Harriman and Dean Dunham and the thoughtfulness that they put into it.”
The Series recently acquired 501c3 status, which gives it independence from William Jewell College, while allowing it to step into a new beneficial relationship with the school as it begins its next season. The opportunity for growth is on the horizon, as is an open door to the world’s top performers.
The Harriman-Jewell Series has a bright future ahead as the new era ushers in with its 61st season.
“The Series provides a unique opportunity for local audiences to experience artists from around the globe,” Bates Kemp said, “and the hospitality our community shows artists allows them to take a part of Kansas City back out to the world. It’s like a postcard from Kansas City for each performance.”
For more information, www.hjseries.org.
– Patrick Neas
