What does it mean to move from CFO to CEO? That combination is an ideal skill set to have.
With so many performing arts institutions across the country in dire financial condition, it is critically important that we continue to ensure the Kauffman Center operates in a fiscally responsible manner by staying financially in the black and keeping an eye towards long-term financial sustainability.
However, I fully realize that the Center’s financial success to date is primarily due to the generosity of the Kansas City’s arts community — its patrons, donors and incredible arts organizations. In my new role as CEO, I will have significantly more face-to-face interaction with this remarkable community. I am having a lot of fun meeting with people who have a strong passion for the arts and want to ensure the performing arts are available for everyone in our community for generations to come.
Is the key to happiness low overhead and 1,000 volunteers to successfully run the Kauffman Center?
Low overhead and 1,000 volunteers (we’ve now trained more than 1,700) are certainly a great starting point! But the other keys to happiness include strong financials; successful resident and community arts organizations; a passionate team of internal and contract professionals and volunteers; patrons that are not just happy, but are energized and uplifted by their experiences; and children that are inspired – with proud and beaming parents – as we saw so many times at our Future Stages Festival which featured over 500 young performers on our stages. Ultimately, our success involves a community fully engaged in the performing arts with financially strong and sustainable operations and a full spectrum of extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences that are accessible to everyone in our community.
In learning about the arts in Kansas City, what has piqued your interest so far?
The opportunity to honor and celebrate Kansas City’s impact on the past, present and future of the performing arts. Even early on in our community’s history, celebrated musicians, dancers and theatrical troupes came from all over the world to perform in Kansas City, at times side by side with young and aspiring artists with passions for jazz, classical and contemporary art forms. Today, we are seeing that energy again in the Crossroads Arts District. We can continue to draw international attention by honoring our past, hosting world class performances on stage and simultaneously supporting aspiring artists at events like the Kauffman Center’s Future Stages Festival or with programs such as The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project (a partnership between Sprint Center, Kauffman Center and The GRAMMY Museum).
Is there a performer or group that’s a personal favorite of yours that you’d like to have at the Kauffman Center?
I met dozens of proud parents at the Kauffman Center’s Future Stages Festival and we have had some incredible performances by youth as part of The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project. I’ve seen hundreds of children’s faces mesmerized by dancers at the Nutcracker, fascinated by the sounds of the symphony and awestruck by powerful voices of the opera. Nothing could ever please me more than seeing one of these young inspired artists become a headliner at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in 5, 10 or 20 years.
We know it’s never too late to try something new, do you want to dabble in the performing arts? Play an instrument? Learn to dance?
I categorically can’t sing. My wife and kids will readily tell you that I can’t dance… never could dance…. and will never be able to dance! If I were to ever pick up an instrument, it would definitely be the saxophone. From Charlie Parker to Bobby Watson to Dave Koz, I’ve always been a fan of the sax.
