KCAC’s roots are in gatherings of artists in their studio looking to connect and uplift the arts in KC.

Welcome to KCAC

Where artists, ideas, and our community come together. We showcase bold, ambitious work, support artists at every stage, and create experiences that make Kansas City’s arts scene vibrant, inspiring, and full of possibility.

We believe creativity connects, inspires, and transforms. KCAC exists to support artists, elevate ideas, and build a community where everyone feels welcome to make and experience art. Here, curiosity is celebrated, experimentation encouraged, and artistic voices amplified.

  • KCAC is a grassroots arts organization that was founded in 1975 by a group of artists aiming to combat isolation and elitism in the art community. Incorporated in 1976, KCAC has grown into an artist-centered, artist-run organization, presenting contemporary exhibitions in our Main and Snap Space Galleries.

    More History written by former Executive Director, Janet Simpson.

  • KCAC is more than a gallery — we’re a creative hub for artists and the community. Here’s how we engage:

    • Exhibitions: Showcasing local, national, and international artists across a variety of mediums.

    • Workshops & Programs: Offering skills, inspiration, and professional development for artists — and fun, creative experiences for the community.

    • Curation Services: Connecting artists with non-traditional spaces and new audiences.

    • Forum Magazine & Blog: Sharing stories, ideas, and insights from the KCAC community and beyond.

  • Our mission is to promote visual arts awareness and support the professional growth of artists in Kansas City and the surrounding region.

    We foster innovation, encourage creative collaboration, and provide a platform for contemporary visual arts through our galleries and publications.

  • The Kansas City Artists Coalition (KCAC or the Artists Coalition) is committed to inclusivity and accessibility. KCAC seeks to achieve diversity and cultural equity in its leadership, partners, members, and programs. KCAC seeks to ensure equitable practices within board activity, staffing, training, and communications.

    The Artists Coalition carries out its mission with proactive efforts to embrace differences of culture, ethnicity, race, religion, international origin, sexual orientation, physical abilities, socio-economic status, age, and gender.

    KCAC’s website uses the Accessibly App which is committed to making sites accessible for all, including people with disabilities. The app to complies with increased accessibility standards, guidelines, and to make the browsing experience better for everyone. More information can be found in the widget that is located on the right hand side of the website.

  • We believe art thrives in a community built on mutual respect, inclusion, and shared responsibility. Our Code of Conduct applies to all who engage with KCAC, ensuring a welcoming environment free from harassment and discrimination.

    At the Kansas City Artists Coalition (KCAC), we believe that art thrives in a community built on mutual respect, inclusion, and shared responsibility. This Code of Conduct applies to all who engage with KCAC—whether as a visitor, artist, member, volunteer, staff member, or board member.

    By participating in our programs, entering our spaces, or interacting with KCAC in any capacity, you agree to uphold the following standards:

    1. Respect for People

    • Treat all individuals with dignity and respect, regardless of race, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, national origin, or socioeconomic status.

    • Engage in thoughtful and respectful dialogue; disagreement is welcome, but harassment, discrimination, or personal attacks are not.

    2. Zero Tolerance for Harassment

    Harassment of any kind—including verbal, physical, sexual, or written—is strictly prohibited. This includes but is not limited to:

    • Unwanted touching or physical contact

    • Offensive jokes, slurs, or sexual comments

    • Intimidation, stalking, or bullying

    • Persistent unwanted attention or communication

    Any violation will be taken seriously and may result in immediate removal from KCAC events, programs, or membership.

    3. Professional Integrity

    • Represent KCAC in good faith. Avoid behavior that could harm the reputation or mission of the organization.

    • Do not use KCAC platforms or relationships to advance personal agendas at the expense of others.

    • Respect confidential or sensitive information.

    4. Safe and Welcoming Environment

    • Help maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment in our galleries, studios, classrooms, and events.

    • Report unsafe conditions or inappropriate behavior to KCAC staff or leadership immediately.

    5. Accountability and Consequences

    KCAC reserves the right to revoke event access, membership, volunteer roles, or board appointments for individuals who violate this Code of Conduct. Depending on the nature and severity of the behavior, additional actions may include:

    • Formal warning or mediation

    • Temporary or permanent suspension of membership or participation

    • Notification of law enforcement if legally required

    In some cases, reinstatement may be considered only after a formal review and demonstration of accountability, including a written apology and agreement to this Code.

    Reporting a Concern

    If you experience or witness conduct that violates these principles, please let us know. Reports can be made confidentially by contacting our Executive Director at courtney@kansascityartistscoalition.org.

    Our Commitment

    We are committed to building an equitable, transparent, and inclusive arts community—one where creativity can flourish, and all people feel safe and respected.

    KCAC is a registered Safe Space with the Safe Space Alliance and we thank you for helping make KCAC a space where all are welcome.

  • We acknowledge that we are on the unceded ancestral land of the Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Wazhazhe (Osage), Washtáge Moⁿzháⁿm (Kaw/Kanza), and Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux) peoples. Indigenous peoples are the past, present, and future of this land.

    Visit native-land.ca to learn more.

About the Kansas City Artists Coalition

  • KCAC has been part of Kansas City’s creative fabric since 1975. From humble beginnings to hosting over 1,200 exhibitions, we’ve grown alongside our city — always championing local artists and creating opportunities for everyone to experience the joy of making and seeing art.

  • At KCAC, we spark creativity and champion artists in all stages of their journey. We help artists explore bold ideas, share their work with the community, and connect with peers near and far. Through exhibitions, workshops, and publications, we celebrate contemporary art while supporting artists financially — whether through sales, honorariums, or opportunities that put their work in front of new audiences. All of this adds up to a vibrant, thriving arts scene in Kansas City and beyond.

  • Every exhibition, program, and partnership helps make Kansas City more vibrant and connected. Artists grow, ideas thrive, and the community experiences the joy of creativity. KCAC creates a space where curiosity leads to discovery — and everyone has a place in that story.

  • Join us — become a member, volunteer, donate, or just come see what’s on view. KCAC isn’t just a space; it’s a community. There’s a spot here for you, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring.

Philomene Bennett spending time viewing artworks contributed to KCAC’s 2024 Annual Art Benefit Auction.

Founders, Partners, Artists

In the vibrant tapestry of Kansas City's art scene, few threads are as intertwined as those of Philomene Bennett and Lou Marak. Both were not only accomplished artists in their own right but also the visionary founders of the Kansas City Artists Coalition (KCAC), an organization that has profoundly shaped the local art community.

A Partnership That Transformed the Art Community

In 1975, Bennett and Marak opened their studio in the River Quay area of Kansas City, a space that would become the birthplace of the Kansas City Artists Coalition. They invited local artists to a meeting titled "How the Artist Can Benefit from Centralization," aiming to create a collective that would combat isolation and foster collaboration among artists. The response was overwhelming, leading to the founding of KCAC in 1976.

Their shared vision was to establish a supportive community where artists could share ideas, resources, and opportunities. Through KCAC, they provided a platform for artists to showcase their work, engage with the public, and develop professionally. Their efforts have left an indelible mark on Kansas City's cultural landscape, nurturing generations of artists and enriching the community's appreciation for the arts.

KCAC Founders, Philomene Bennett and Lou Marak

  • Philomene Bennett's artistic journey began in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she discovered her passion for art early in life. She earned her BFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1956 and soon became a prominent figure in Kansas City's art community upon her arrival in 1956. Known for her large-scale, colorful, abstract paintings and prints, Bennett's work was characterized by a dynamic interplay of form and color, reflecting her belief in art as a conversation with oneself.

    Beyond her studio practice, Bennett was a dedicated educator and advocate for the arts. She served as an adjunct art instructor and visiting artist/lecturer at the Kansas City Art Institute, co-founded and presided over the Kansas City Artists Coalition, and was the art editor of Helicon Nine Journal of Women's Art and Letters. Her influence extended to numerous public and private collections, including the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.

    Photo credit: Rachelle Gardner Roe


  • Born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Lou Marak's path to artistry was unconventional. Initially drawn to art by his cousin, Marak pursued formal education at the University of Illinois and Alfred University, where he earned his MFA in ceramics in 1967. His work, primarily in ceramics, was known for its intricate designs and conceptual depth, often exploring themes of containment and transformation.

    Marak's professional career included a significant tenure at Hallmark Cards, where he worked for over 35 years, contributing to the company's "Contemporary Cards" line. His artistic endeavors were recognized nationally, with his works featured in esteemed institutions such as the Renwick Gallery of Fine Art in Washington, D.C., and the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse. In 2009, he was elected a Fellow of the American Craft Council.

    Read Lou’s In Memoriam by Artist Elisabeth Kirsch for KC Studio Magazine