Young professionals enjoy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments at the Ensemble Young Professionals Happy Hour on Feb. 26, 2024. (photo by Don Ipock)
Nurturing a love of the arts for present and future generations is essential to the mission of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and supporters of the Kauffman Center play a significant role in the realization of the 501(c)(3) organization’s vision.
Through their gifts and advocacy of the venue, members and donors help bring diverse live performing arts experiences for all ages and interests to the Kauffman Center’s two stages. These supporters directly impact the next generation of performing arts lovers, from the tiniest patrons to young professionals and beyond.
Kauffman Center Children’s Wall
It is not an exaggeration to say the Kauffman Center starts growing its audiences from the time they are born.
For Mckenna Lewis’ family, supporting the arts came in the form of donating in her grandmother’s name to honor her 70th birthday and her love of the arts. The family received three handprints for all the grandchildren in their family to be included on the Kauffman Center’s Children’s Wall, located on the plaza level outside of the Concert Hall Reception Suite. Lewis, who was age 9 at the time, remembers making her handprint for the wall, but never would have guessed the role the building would play in her own life a few years later.
In the summer of 2022, Lewis became the patron services management intern at the Kauffman Center. In this role, she gained indispensable professional skills and was able to jumpstart her career in the performing arts.
“It was such a full-circle moment,” Lewis said. “I’ve been lucky to grow up with the arts in my family, so the Kauffman Center was a very big deal for us.”
Each handprint on the Children’s Wall includes the child’s name and age and is an extra-special way to leave a mark at the Kauffman Center. Spotlight Premier members and Leading Role Spotlight members receive a complimentary handprint for their children, grandchildren or other young loved ones. Handprints are also available with a one-time donation. These donations go to the Kauffman Center’s endowment. Installation of new handprints on the Children’s Wall takes place in the fall each year.
Ensemble Young Professionals Happy Hour & Open House
The Ensemble business membership program brings together business leaders in the community with a shared appreciation of the performing arts and the Kauffman Center. Members are invited to exclusive events and are encouraged to invite their employees or clients.
In February, Ensemble members and guests gathered for the Young Professionals Happy Hour & Open House, where early-career professionals networked, enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, played games from KC Crew and listened to live music from local artist Matthew Shoaf.
Members also took photos inside a giant inflatable dome and were given sneak peeks inside Muriel Kauffman Theatre and Helzberg Hall.
This twice-a-year event provides Ensemble member companies with a unique way to enhance their young employees’ experiences and networking skills while also exposing them to the performing arts and civic leadership. Ensemble is sponsored by PNC Bank.
Two Free Concerts Annually for Members
All Kauffman Center members reap the benefits of exclusive experiences, including two free concerts and receptions each year. Hundreds of members recently had a Gaelic good time attending the Spring Members Concert & Reception featuring The Irish Tenors and were able to share the experience with family and loved ones.
In addition to the two annual concerts, members are invited to private backstage tours, meet-and-greets with Kauffman Center Presents artists, special dinners, presale ticket offers and more.
–Lauren Zollar
