The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is passionate about providing opportunities for youth and underserved members of the community to experience high-quality performing arts. Their Open Doors program is aimed at connecting youth, families and adults from throughout the metropolitan area to educational programs and performances at the Kauffman Center. By offering reduced prices and even free tickets to local social service agencies and schools, the program provides even greater access to high-quality performing arts experiences.
Through the Open Doors Community Tickets program, the Kauffman Center provides about 500 tickets to approximately 15 to 20 local social service agencies throughout the year. The program allows children and families to attend performances at the Kauffman Center by the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony and Lyric Opera of Kansas City, in addition to offering free tickets for a wide range of Kauffman Center Presents performances.
“I’ve seen firsthand the impact as our community’s youth are inspired, challenged and motivated by unique and memorable performing arts experiences,” said Paul Schofer, President and CEO of the Kauffman Center. “The Kauffman Center’s Open Doors program is pleased to be able to provide youth and families access to the arts in partnership with our resident companies and community arts groups.”
An additional component of the program is the Open Doors Transportation Fund, which reduces barriers for schools by providing bus transportation allowances to help defray the cost of bringing students to matinee performances.
“Students at our school have little to no opportunity for exposure to live musical performances. They love dressing up, and come back with shining eyes and lots of comments! The transportation reimbursement program enables our small funds available for field trips to expand to include other enrichment experiences,” noted Sherris Bury, Merriam Park Elementary, after attending the KC Symphony’s Young People’s Concerts.
The Transportation Fund has helped to transport more than 95,000 students to performances at the Kauffman Center since its opening in 2011.
For more information about the Kauffman Center’s volunteer program and Open Doors initiative, please visit kauffmancenter.org.
–Megan Felling
Above: Students enjoy a KC Symphony Young People’s Concert at the Kauffman Center. Photo by Eric Williams – Kansas City Symphony.
