2021 IUAH ANNUAL REPORT

2021

ANNUAL REPORT

To enrich the cultural and economic vibrancy of the community by creating a place where artists and creative industries can work and prosper in an affordable, sustainable and inclusive environment.

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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW & LOOKING AHEAD

2021 was a dynamic year for InterUrban ArtHouse. In March, exactly one year after the pandemic closed our doors, we gradually reopened to the public. Hours were limited, masks made it difficult to understand and be understood by our fellows, and many an awkward moment was shared over how exactly to greet one another with handshaking and hugs still off the table.

While cautiously returning to in-person programming, the ArtHouse continued to maintain a strong virtual presence. ArtWorks entrepreneurial support for KC area artists returned to the scene after its ANGI CAIN HEJDUK pandemic hiatus in 2020. Conducted primarily with the aid of Zoom and web-based resources, ArtWorks INTERURBAN ARTHOUSE CEO served 92 unduplicated artists between its spring and fall rounds. Funding from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission allowed the ArtHouse to gain experience from Springboard for the Arts, while funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has made it possible to begin carrying out the important work of expanding this programming into marginalized communities across the metro through increased partnership and impact measurement.

Partnerships blossomed, as the ArtHouse worked in collaboration with the Kansas City Artists Coalition to lead ArtWorks programming. Springboard for the Arts, based in Minnesota, provided a brand new curriculum - “Work of Art” - for ArtWorks.

Throughout the year, the ArtHouse worked with a number of arts orgs across the region to promote opportunities for artists, including KCAC, the Arts Council of Johnson County, ArtsKC, Charlotte Street, No Divide KC, the City of Overland Park, Mid America Arts Alliance and a host of others. Art As Mentorship completed and began program work in its new sound studio, housed in InterUrban ArtHouse’s facility at 8001 Newton Street in Overland Park.

2021 was also a strong year for exhibitions at the ArtHouse. Our exhibitions highlight the essential and ongoing celebration of diverse cultures and uniquenesses, with a strong emphasis on equity, justice, and representation. The year began with an extension of Tangled Roots in the gallery and our regular ArtHeals show took place online. Her Art/Their Art in the spring showcased the work of 46 local artists; The Queer Experience featured 28 artists and 7 regional storytellers sharing their experiences; Tangled Roots highlighted the phenomenal work of over 40 artists and storytellers; and our end-of-year Member 12 by 12 show exhibited over 200 pieces by more than 60 area artists. In addition to these strong showings, IUAH hosted special exhibitions, including “Glorious Days,” a solo retrospective of beloved studio artist Marcia Streepy’s work, as well as the final public showing of La Onda’s exhibition of local Latinix artists.

In house, ArtHouse artists were deeply engaged in their artistic practices. Beginning in June, funding from Mid-America Arts Alliance’s Artistic Innovations grant empowered us to pay artists to create new, original social-justice artworks for our core exhibitions - ArtHeals, Her Art/Their Art, The Queer Experience, and Tangled Roots. By the close of the year, 9 artists produced 9 “Artists As Advocates” projects consisting of more than 60 artworks serving as centerpieces in our shows.

Among the most significant projects upcoming, the ArtHouse will be replacing its deteriorating parking lot and updating its outdoor event space for enhanced accessibility and program use. The improved space will increase our unique capacity to address an unmet need in the community for a public gathering space that elevates multicultural inclusion in arts and culture.

The ArtSpace provides affordable space for artists and community in a 10,000 sq. foot former USPS sorting facility. Reinvented and revitalized in 2018, the IUAH ArtSpace now includes 19 studio spaces, occupied by 30 artists , and a 3,500 sq. foot gallery and event space used for exhibitions, classes, presentations, performances and private events.

In 2021, IUAH had 24 studio artists and 6 exhibitions that involved over 200 artists.

ArtsConnect represents the community engagement work done by IUAH. By placing arts and culture at the center of local outreach events, IUAH creates a community that pushes conventional boundaries including age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and ability. ArtsConnect starts at IUAH but steps outside our walls and into businesses, municipalities and neighborhoods.

In 2021, ArtsConnect served 4,600+ community members through 25 events.

ArtWorks provides opportunities for entrepreneurial development training to creatives to become professional, self-sufficient small businesses. Through ArtWorks programming, we aim to support innovation by enabling growth, advancing business skills and providing training for the creative sector. ArtWorks includes topics such as strategic planning, marketing & communications, grants writing and fundraising, budgeting, accounting & tax planning, project management and legal practices.

In 2021, ArtWorks served 712 of individuals through 27 classes.

ArtHeals provides art-therapy and art-related mental, physical, and community health programming for individuals, small groups and large groups. ArtHeals seeks to provide a safe environment for sharing, creating and healing. ArtHeals strives to promote the exploration of self, culture, identity, and more through purposeful art activities.

In 2021, ArtHeals served impacted over 6,000 community members through 8 events and the display of suicide prevention installations in over 200 schools.

ArtSmart provides low-income and at-risk students with arts enrichment and curriculum integration for enhanced learning. By engaging with local artists, young people are inspired through dance, story telling, music, poetry, painting, sculpture and field trips. For artists instructors, ArtSmart provides professional development opportunities.

In 2021, ArtSmart contracted with 11 artist instructors who led 18 classes in 4 participating Title-I schools, serving 336 students.

ArtMatters provides opportunities for artists of all levels wishing to advance their artistic skills, learn new studio methods, participate in discussions and critiques and to connect with other creatives.

ArttMatters offers presentations and workshops by visiting and established artists, discussions, and artist mentoring. For artist instructors, ArtMatters provides artists with paid teaching opportunities to share their skills, enhancing the community through artistic learning and expression.

In 2021, ArtMatters served 520 community members through 54 events.

STAFF

FOUNDER: NICOLE EMANUEL

CEO: ANGI HEJDUK

JADE GREEN

CURATOR/OPS MGR: WOLFE BRACK

MG SALAZAR

DEVELOPMENT MGR: JAMES FARNEN

KOREA KELLY

ROYCE HANDY

CLARISSA KNIGHTEN

NYLA FOSTER ANDI MEYERS SHERI HALL

ISRAEL ALEJANDRO GARCIA GARCIA

LINNAIA MCKENZIE

JOSE FAUS

ENRIQUE CHI

PRESIDENT ISAAKU YAMASHI

VICE PRESIDENT MICHAEL KELLEY

TREASURER GLENN LAVEZZI

SECRETARY SHERRI JACOBS

NEDRA BONDS

BILL 6 REGINA KORT

STACY CAHALAN INTERURBAN/ARTHOUSE

Fish Out of Water

by Donald “Scribe” Ross

913-283-7091 info@interurbanarthouse.org www.interurbanarthouse.org InterUrban ArtHouse 8001 Newton Street Overland Park, KS 66204