John Hoffman speaks about the work of Dylan Mortimer at an ArtsAlive event at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center. (ArtsAlive)
ArtsAlive began a quarter-century ago to promote the visual and performing arts in Greater Kansas City. Still organizing its signature monthly events, ArtsAlive coordinates arts-focused social events hosted by different arts organizations.
Longtime arts supporter and collector John Hoffman and his daughter Lynn Hoffman Carlton brainstormed the idea that became a nonprofit endeavor run by volunteers.
Twenty-five years ago, the Crossroads Arts District and nascent arts organizations around the city represented a modern renaissance of Kansas City’s emerging arts scene. Social media platforms that are commonplace now weren’t prominent or didn’t exist at the time. Other than word of mouth, artists and arts nonprofits relied on traditional media and their own nominal marketing budgets to garner attention and attract audiences.
ArtsAlive presents a means of combining in-person arts patronage with social activity at a minimal cost for participants. Ticketed events usually cost $45 or so. Each event typically includes a cocktail reception and light snacks.
“We have a great board, and we still do one event each month. We have 1,500 on our email list. Most of them sell out within 48 hours,” Hoffman said.
True to its history, ArtsAlive seeks out “cultural venues that Kansas City offers but most people aren’t aware of,” he added.
“Despite a pause during COVID, this all-volunteer group has been doing monthly events to introduce people to the arts for a long time. The events consistently sell out and have covered an incredible range of topics,” said ArtsAlive patron Dalene Bradford.
Past outings have included visits to The Black Box performing arts venue, Kansas City Automotive Museum and the Livestock Exchange Building.
An event in April featured a West Bottoms adventure to explore Gallery Bogart and its exhibition “One Bedroom Apartment.” Afterward, the group headed to a program of three dances (including a world premiere) by Alvin Ailey II at the Folly Theater. The March event focused on a private presentation by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art director and CEO Julián Zugazagoitia focusing on an exhibit of design concepts by six architectural competition finalists for the museum’s upcoming expansion.
The anniversary of ArtsAlive represents a milestone in a lifetime of arts advocacy and support for John Hoffman and his wife, Sharon Hoffman.
Now retired, the Hoffmans have devoted years of service and arts advocacy as board members of the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, the second home to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater based in New York City, and the board of the Kansas City Art Institute.
“We founded the Young Friends of Art, Historic Kansas City Foundation, and Friends of Union Station,” said John, who remains head of ArtsAlive. “We turned over all those obligations to Lynn and others.”
Arts enthusiasts may visit artsalivekc.org to learn about upcoming events and sign up for the ArtsAlive email newsletter.
