The Foundation awarded 81 grants totaling $1,135,000 in support of arts & culture organizations and programs in the Greater Kansas City area.

2021 Arts & Culture Grant Highlights

Highlights from a list of 32 one-year grants (made to large and midsize arts and culture organizations for $885,000) using a continued emphasis on effective and innovative strategies for audience development are reflected by the following:

  • Start at Zero received a $50,000 grant to offer early childhood programs that produce short-term academic, health and social gains, and family stability paired with long-term benefits.
  • Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey was granted a $30,000 gift to help provide high quality arts education and performance art experiences and continuing efforts to implement audience development strategies, attracting new audiences, enriching, and diversifying the local Kansas City arts community.

Small Arts Grants organizations were awarded $250,000 across 49 grants to seed both new and emerging organizations, and expand access for children and underserved populations throughout the community.

The Traditional Music Society, founded in 1995 by renowned musician and educator Bird Ellington, received a $10,000 investment to continue promoting community cohesiveness and educational excellence through the study of music and dance from many world cultures.

2021 Large Arts Grants
2021 Small Arts Grants