The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts opened in September of 2011 and will mark its fifth birthday with a community-wide celebration! As a thank you to our community of audiences and supporters who have helped to make the performing arts center Kansas City’s home for the arts, the Kauffman Center is hosting a FREE birthday party open house on Friday, September 2nd from 5 to 9 p.m. “BravoKC!: Kauffman Center Turns Five, Live!” will be part of the Crossroads Arts District September First Friday activities, and will feature live performances on three stages, lawn games by KC Crew, interactive activities and, of course, birthday cake!
BravoKC!, a FREE community-wide party, welcomes new and returning visitors to the Kauffman Center and invites all ages to be a part of the fun with celebratory performances, activities, food and more in a casual atmosphere. This open house shines a spotlight on all those who helped make the Kauffman Center a bridge to Kansas City’s most dynamic downtown neighborhoods including the Westside, Central Business District including the Power & Light District, and the Crossroads Arts District.
Kauffman Center’s Impact
More than two million visitors have attended an event at the Center since the 2011 grand opening. “Since its opening five years ago, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts has helped to draw national and international visitors to Kansas City through its world-class performances,” said Ronnie Burt, Visit KC president and CEO. “The Center has also assisted in attracting conventions to our city. It has elevated our skyline, the arts and culture scene and the Crossroads Arts District. The vibrancy of our arts and cultural community is one of the top 10 reasons more than 24 million people visit Kansas City each year — and we are proud that the Kauffman Center calls KC home.”
As well as being an iconic landmark, the Kauffman Center symbolizes the transformation of Kansas City’s urban core, and reflects the vibrant energy, creativity and forward-thinking that the community has embraced. Kansas City is becoming known as America’s Creative Crossroads, a great place to work, live and play, as noted in several national publications such as The New York Times and The Huffington Post. “Great things are happening in Kansas City, and we are proud to be a strong part of that movement,” noted Kauffman Center president and CEO, Paul Schofer.
“The Crossroads and surrounding neighborhoods have this amazing vibrancy that the Kauffman Center is proud to be a part of building, but we didn’t do it alone. Kansas City is home to an awe-inspiring amount of innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity. Local business owners, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, artists and residents make Kansas City what it is today, and they continue to provide the opportunity for the Kauffman Center to thrive and in turn, spark even more creativity and growth within our community,” said Schofer.
Not only has the Kauffman Center changed the Kansas City skyline, but it has established Kansas City as a dynamic and varied cultural destination. “After just five years, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a cornerstone of the Kansas City region’s cultural landscape,” said Tim Cowden, Kansas City Area Development Council president and CEO. “It’s a symbol of pride, and a validation of our community’s sophistication and philanthropic spirit.”
Presenting a wide spectrum of entertainers and performers from around the world as well as regional grass-roots performing arts organizations, the Kauffman Center has become widely known for extraordinary performing arts experiences.
For more information and a schedule of upcoming performances, visit kauffmancenter.org or call 816.994.7222.
–Megan Felling
All photos courtesy of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
