The co-chair of the Mayor’s Task Force for the Arts is a woman who’s been a formidable presence in Kansas City’s art scene since the early 90s.
Pat Jordan is best known for leading the revival of the 1912 Gem Theatre on 18th and Vine. She’s also opened galleries and organized arts programs for youth. The Missouri Arts Council recently recognized Jordan’s contributions by awarding her the “Leadership in the Arts” award.
In January, the Mayor’s Task Force for the Arts launched a series of meetings - at community centers, nature centers, libraries and other venues - to try to map out a vision for Kansas City’s arts and cultural policy.
More than 20 community meetings took place across Kansas City last week – morning, noon and night – to discuss the future of the city’s arts and cultural policy. It’s the first comprehensive review since 1997.
For the first time in 15 years, Kansas City, Mo. is examining its arts-related policies through Mayor Sly James' Task Force for the Arts. This task force is composed of important political members from the city and a variety of artists and advocates for the arts in Kansas City. The task force launched the Envision Arts & Culture KC campaign Monday night, which is the first step in trying to make the arts a more prominent and meaningful part of life in Kansas City.
Kansas City Mayor Sly James arrives at the podium greeted by a standing ovation from the crowd.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
More than 300 artists crowded into the ArtsTech building to kick-off Envision Arts and Culture KC.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
David Sullivan, Executive Director of ArtsTech, addresses the crowd of artists gathered to kick-off Envision Arts and Culture KC, the arts and culture planning project of the Mayor's Task Force held at ArtsTech.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Tracey S. C. Lewis, President of the Board of ArtsTech, speaks to the group.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Mayor James outlines his plan for the Task Force.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Mayor James speaks to the crowd of artists gathered at ArtsTech.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Mike Burke, Chair of the Mayor’s Task Force for the Arts, jokes with Mayor James.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Pat Jordan, Co-Chair Mayor’s Task Force for the Arts, is recognized by the crowd.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Diane Scott, Manager of Professional Development Programs at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, separates the artists into separate groups for discussions.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Mayor James poses for a picture with Elijah Taylor, 15, and Lynn Rundle, of Sequel Holdings.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Porter Arneill, Public Art Administrator speaks with Michael Grimaldi, of the Trozzolo Communications Group.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Larry Thomas, Fine Arts Chair of Johnson County Community College, strains to hear a comment from his group.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
David Plettner-Saunders, of The Cultural Planning Group, encourages discussion from his group of artists.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Mike Burke, Chair of the Mayor’s Task Force for the Arts, speaks with visual artist Marilyn Mahoney as the discussion groups get underway.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Mike Burke, Chair of the Mayor’s Task Force for the Arts, poses for a picture with Kansas City Mayor Mayor Sly James.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Larry Thomas, Fine Arts Chair at Johnson County Community College, responds to a question from his group of artists.
This week marked the launch of a series of public meetings – at community centers, libraries, churches, a museum, an art gallery, even a police station - to discuss the future of the arts in Kansas City.
In September 2011, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce announced "the Big 5," ideas the city would champion, ranging from revitalizing the urban core to boosting medical research.
