Since 1975, KCAC has championed contemporary artists by providing opportunities to create, exhibit, and connect with the community. From our first grassroots exhibitions to our present home in Midtown, we remain dedicated to supporting artists at every stage of their careers and increasing awareness and appreciation of contemporary art.

Rooted in Kansas City and inspired by the prairie, we imagine a city where art is woven into daily life, where artists are celebrated, and where community comes together through creativity. Our vision for the new Kansas City Arts Center is an invitation: a place that belongs to everyone. We are bursting our bubble and opening wide the doors so more of our neighbors can engage with the arts, dream alongside us, and help shape Kansas City’s cultural future.

Since 1975, we have believed that art should be accessible to all — not limited by cost, background, or identity. Our exhibitions and programs are free and open to the public, because we know that removing barriers is the most powerful step we can take toward inclusivity.

We honor the communities we serve without tokenizing them.
We will never reduce people to statistics or use their identities as proof of our values. Instead, we measure our impact through belonging: the trust of artists who choose to exhibit with us, the neighbors who gather in our galleries, and the members who sustain us.

We commit to equity as an ongoing practice.
Equity is not a box to check but a responsibility we carry. We remain open to feedback, reflection, and growth. As we look to the future — including the creation of a new Kansas City Arts Center — we commit to making KCAC a place where all feel welcome, represented, and valued.

KCAC connects with thousands of people every year — in our galleries, across the Kansas City metro, and online.

In FY 2023/2024:

• 3,248 adults and 51 youth engaged in person.

• 25,971 online views of programs and exhibitions.

• 3,021 email subscribers.

• 20,800 social followers (Facebook & Instagram).

• 208 artists exhibited.

• 89 volunteers supported KCAC.

In FY 2024/2025:

• 3,721 adults and 59 youth engaged in person.

• 79,273 online views — more than triple the previous year.

• 3,100 email subscribers.

• 21,500 social media followers.

• 443 artists exhibited (exhibitions + Curation Services).

• 85 volunteers supported KCAC projects.

Each number represents people coming together: neighbors attending exhibitions, artists finding a platform for their work, and volunteers giving their time to sustain Kansas City’s grassroots art community.

KCAC was founded by artists for artists — and that spirit remains at the heart of everything we do. Our Exhibition Series, programs, and partnerships provide platforms for artists at every stage of their careers.

In FY 2023/2024:

• 20 exhibitions presented in KCAC’s galleries, including 14 solo exhibitions.

• 208 artists exhibited (Exhibition Series and Annual Auction).

• KCAC began offering regular honorariums to exhibiting artists, distributing $6,000 in support.

• Programs such as Coffee Talks, workshops, and public lectures created spaces for dialogue and professional growth.

In FY 2024/2025:

• 19 exhibitions presented in KCAC’s galleries, including 12 solo exhibitions.

• 443 artists exhibited through KCAC — reflecting more group exhibitions and the addition of our Curation Services program in this number.

• Artist support grew significantly, with $13,475 in honorariums distributed — a direct reflection of Curation Services expansion and Forum magazine.

• KCAC experimental programs, such as After Dark and Happy Hour events, gave artists opportunities to test new ideas and reach new audiences.

• Partnerships with civic and corporate spaces extended KCAC artists’ visibility beyond our gallery walls and into the wider Kansas City community.

Our Commitment
Supporting artists means more than presenting their work — it means opening doors, creating opportunities, and ensuring their voices are part of Kansas City’s cultural conversation.

In December 2024, KCAC successfully relaunched Forum, our bi-monthly magazine dedicated to contemporary art and critical dialogue. Ad-free and community-driven, the magazine highlights area exhibitions, features artists from across the region, and provides space for thoughtful engagement with ideas shaping contemporary culture.

Since its relaunch:

• 5 issues published since December 2024 as of September 2025.

• Distributed to KCAC members, community partners, and cultural stakeholders across Kansas City and beyond.

• Features include artist profiles, critical essays, and exhibition highlights that extend KCAC’s impact beyond the gallery walls.

Forum connects our grassroots community of artists, writers, and readers — continuing KCAC’s legacy of lifting up regional voices while fostering dialogue that reaches far beyond Kansas City.

KCAC is committed to transparency and responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. Over the last two fiscal years, we’ve seen growth in both revenue and programming, while maintaining balanced budgets with small surpluses.

In FY 2023/2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024):

• Total Income: $295,747

  • $41,208 from program income (memberships, rentals, workshops)

  • $66,655 in unrestricted contributions

  • $27,739 in restricted grants

  • $157,740 from fundraising (Auction + events)

• Total Expenses: $251,920

  • $21,366 program expenses (including $6,000 in artist honorariums)

  • $150,632 payroll

  • $66,224 operating costs

  • $13,579 fundraising expenses

• Result: $43,827 surplus

In FY 2024/2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025):

• Total Income: $326,499

  • $52,599 from program income

  • $93,549 in unrestricted contributions

  • $60,584 in restricted grants

  • $115,119 from fundraising

• Total Expenses: $315,055

  • $34,552 program expenses (including $13,475 in artist honorariums)

  • $185,766 payroll

  • $81,560 operating costs

  • $11,281 fundraising expenses

• Result: $11,444 surplus

Key Takeaways:

• Income grew by 10% year-over-year, fueled by stronger contributions, grants, and program income.

• Artist honorariums more than doubled ($6,000 → $13,475), reflecting KCAC’s commitment to directly supporting artists.

• Payroll and operating costs rose as programming expanded, yet KCAC maintained a balanced budget in both years.