KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 5, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The effort to build a landmark downtown facility to host theatrical events, world-class musical performances, international artists, and unique educational, civic, and cultural events is getting bigger and expanding across the region with the launch of a major new campaign.
Today, the Metropolitan Kansas City Performing Arts Center (MKCPAC), which recently announced plans for a fall groundbreaking, launched a brand new community campaign; unveiled a unique, community-driven grassroots program to build support and understanding of the MKCPAC; and announced the official groundbreaking date for the new facility. The MKCPAC will be home to the Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Ballet, and the Lyric Opera.
The MKCPAC will hold a groundbreaking ceremony in just four months, in early October 2006. The facility is scheduled to be complete by December 2009.
To achieve its fundraising goals and create excitement across the region, the MKCPAC also announced a new public campaign highlighted by a grassroots "Ambassador" program, new advertising, an enhanced Web site, plans for engagement of local artists, and a number of other key programs. The campaign, which goes beyond fundraising in its mission of engaging citizens across the region in building excitement for the MKCPAC, is called the "Hands-On Campaign," and its new slogan is "Touch the Future."
"Setting a date for groundbreaking and launching the new hands-on community campaign carries us into a new phase in our effort to transform this community through a world-class, landmark cultural center," said Julia Irene Kauffman, Chairman of the Board and President of the MKCPAC, and Chairman/CEO of the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation. "The new campaign represents a unique way to enable our community to truly own the Performing Arts Center. We are not simply soliciting donations, but asking Kansas Citians to take an active, hands-on role in creating a brighter future for Kansas City. This facility is being built to enrich our city for the future. It is part of our legacy to our children and their children."
Campaign Details: A Hands-On Approach to Building the MKCPAC
The new Hands-On community campaign will provide opportunities for Kansas Citians to take an active role in creating the future home of the ballet, symphony, opera, and hundreds of other artistic, musical, and educational events and organizations. Key elements of the campaign include:
-- The launch of an unparalleled effort to engage the community
through a team of "Ambassadors" -- people from around the metro
area who will speak at events, host meetings, and work throughout
the community to get Kansas Citians involved in key early MKCPAC
efforts. Already, nearly 50 individuals -- from corporate leaders
to young professionals to stay-at-home moms -- have signed up to
serve as Ambassadors, and the MKCPAC expects to have more than 150
in this group by October 1. Anyone wishing to become an
ambassador may call 816-512-2286 or visit
www.kcperformingartscenter.org for more information.
-- The creation of new opportunities for Kansas Citians to become
early public supporters of the MCKPAC and receive a range of
unique benefits. Those who donate between now and October will
receive access to special events, advanced event calendars, early
notification of performances, and invitations to the
groundbreaking event in October. Other donor benefits will be
announced at a later date.
-- The launch of an exciting new advertising campaign, which begins
in print, but is likely to expand into other media over the course
of the campaign. Samples of ad creative are available upon
request.
-- The unveiling of substantial enhancements to the MKCPAC Web site
(www.kcperformingartscenter.org), including new ways to get
involved, donate money, and gain early access to events and
information.
-- The rollout of additional efforts throughout the summer to get
more people -- especially families and children -- involved in
creating a truly unique, community-owned performing arts center.
This will include efforts to create a one-of-a-kind donor
recognition element at the MKCPAC, with the help of local artists.
Detailed plans for this effort and for other elements of the
campaign will be announced in coming weeks.
"By encouraging community participation in several different ways, the Performing Arts Center becomes a 'community center' in the truest sense of the word," said Ken Dworak, project manager for the MKCPAC. "Through our Ambassador program, we will have hundreds of people talking to thousands more over a period of years to truly generate involvement and participation at a grassroots level from every corner of the region. The Performing Arts Center is about so much more than fine arts -- it is about bringing world-class theater, major concerts, important artists, and great educational events to this area. It is about revitalizing our entire region. It is about defining our future as a great city, a destination city, and a place that we will all be so proud to continue to call home."
Located at 16th and Broadway, the landmark facility is being designed by a world-renowned team, including architect Moshe Safdie, Yasu Toyota of Nagata Acoustics, and Richard Pilbrow of Theatre Projects Consultants.
About the Metropolitan Kansas City Performing Arts Center
The Metropolitan Kansas City Performing Arts Center is a project with one overriding goal -- to bring artists and audiences together. Ten years of collective research, planning, and design have brought into focus our vision for the mission of the Metropolitan Kansas City Performing Arts Center. A world-class technical team of architects, acousticians, and other theater designers has been selected, and significant public and private funding has been secured. Metropolitan Kansas City Performing Arts Center, Inc. (MKCPAC) was incorporated in October 1999, at which time a separate board of directors was established. In January 2000, MKCPAC received notification from the IRS it was approved as an independent 501(c)(3) public charity.