2024 Annual Report (2) by interurbanarthouse

2024 ANNUAL REPORT

We couldn't have done it without these generous funde !

Tim Lyons Fund

CEO Report

Dear Friends

As 2024 comes to a close, I’m proud to share a year of continued growth, creativity, and community impact at InterUrban ArtHouse. Building on the momentum of 2023, we expanded our programs, deepened our partnerships, and continued our mission to support artists while fostering access and inclusion in the arts 2024 marked the successful launch of several new initiatives: Creative Conversations, our arts-based mental wellness program, came to life through small group gatherings that used creative expression to build connection and support emotional well-being.

We expanded our Annex Gallery Network to include 11 new exhibition spaces across the metro, including 9 within Johnson County Public Libraries bringing the work of local artists directly into community spaces

Our Studio Residency Program doubled in size, providing no-cost studio space to 6 dynamic artists who enriched the cultural life of the ArtHouse and our wider community. Through the ArtWorks program, we introduced new professional development tracks

Curators Connect, Festival Readiness, and Financial Literacy for Artists offering valuable tools for artists to grow their practice and their careers

The ArtSmart Mentorship Program launched its expanded format, connecting high school students pursuing creative careers with professional mentors for hands-on guidance and support

We also completed long-awaited upgrades to our Outdoor Performance Space, including the installation of a custom shade structure that greatly improved audience comfort and allowed us to host more inclusive and accessible outdoor events. Together, these milestones reflect our continued commitment to artist support, community access, and inclusive programming. None of this would be possible without our partners, funders, artists, and supporters you have helped make 2024 a transformative year

Thank you for being part of our journey I look forward to all that lies ahead

Angi

Cain Hejduk

Angi Hejduk CEO - InterUrban ArtHouse

Our Team

GRANTSMANAGER James@interurbanarthouseorg

2024 Board of Directors

2024 Advisory Committee

OUR MISSION

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.

OUR CORE OBJECTIVES

To offer a non-profit owned place where artists and creative industries can make and support art in a stable and affordable environment.

To fully integrate arts and cultural activities within the community by creating an open atmosphere through engagement, inclusivity and diversity.

To promote and facilitate the successful entrepreneurism of the creative industries by sharing resources, building connections and supporting collaborations.

To support growth and sustainability of the arts and culture through education and professional and artistic development.

WHAT WE DO:

InterUrban ArtHouse (IUAH) makes the arts accessible, inclusive, and impactful through six key programs:

Arts Education – Brings creative programming to Title I schools, ensuring students from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to the arts.

Student Arts Support – Provides funding for Pre-K–12 students and schools to acquire instruments, pay for lessons, and support music programs.

Arts & Wellness – Offers free, arttherapy-informed activities promoting mental health and wellbeing.

Community Arts Engagement –Hosts exhibitions, performances, readings, film screenings, and handson activities, with 85% of programming free to the public.

Artist Development – Supports creative entrepreneurs with resources, funding, and open-studio work sessions.

Affordable Studio Space – Provides accessible studios for KC Metro artists, with one-third receiving free space and project funding.

IUAH fosters diversity and inclusion across all artistic disciplines, ensuring the arts are available to everyone whether as creators or enthusiasts. By supporting artists and offering free public programming, we bring creativity to underrepresented and underserved communities.

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Our second year of NEA-funded “IUAH Studio Residency” welcomed 3 new local artists to the ArtHouse and paid their studio fees for the year. Artists included were Taj Mattingly, Micael Elrod and Vince Medellin.

IUAH's Annex program has expanded from 3 to 14 sites in 2024, including 9 Johnson County Libraries, First Interstate Bank, and the Johnson County Administration Building. Launched with a 2019 Kansas Arts Commission grant, the program’s earned revenue has grown from $7,500 to $36,000 annually, while artist exhibition opportunities have increased from 8 to 41.

Two new exhibitions were debuted to celebrate inclusivity for multidisciplinary artists in Kansas City. “Identity” explores how self-perception and societal labels shape our experiences, while “It’s the Little Things,” co-curated with the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, challenges artists to creatively reimagine the concept of "small" through scale, symbolism, and concept.

In October of 2024, IUAH’s Outdoor Performance Space was completed with the construction of a permanent event structure designed, fabricated and built by Eldorado Architects. The space was unveiled and enjoyed during the ArtHouse’s 2024 Arts On Fire! community celebration and fundraiser.

The evening featured stunning aerial performances by Voler - Thieves of Flight, traditional Indian dance by Nritya KC, soulful jazz-fusion by Clayton DeLong, exciting circus acts, and a fiery finale with Voler and Yosh the Fire Guy.

ARTS ON FIRE ARTS ON FIRE

InterUrban ArtHouse is proud to announce the official naming of its artist residency blocks in honor of two inspiring leaders whose legacies have shaped the organization and the broader arts community

The first residency block will be named the Nicole Emanuel Residency Studios in tribute to InterUrban ArtHouse’s visionary founder, Nicole Emanuel As a tireless advocate for artists and the arts, Nicole's dedication laid the foundation for InterUrban ArtHouse as a creative hub for the community Among her many accomplishments, Nicole spearheaded the campaign to identify, fundraise and purchase the permanent location for the organization, guaranteeing a stable future of affordability for the creative community Her leadership, passion, and vision have supported countless artists in their pursuit of creative growth, equity, and sustainability Nicole is currently an active member of the Board of Directors, serving as Treasurer

The second residency block will be named the NedRa Bonds Residency Studios to recognize the enduring impact of community partner NedRa Bonds NedRa is celebrated for her lifelong contributions to arts activism, cultural preservation, and social justice Her work with InterUrban ArtHouse as a member of the Board of Directors (2014-2024) has empowered individuals and enriched our cultural landscape, making her a cornerstone of InterUrban ArtHouse’s mission 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

Each residency block consists of three artist studios designed to nurture creativity, collaboration, and professional development By honoring Nicole Emanuel and NedRa Bonds, InterUrban ArtHouse underscores its commitment to fostering artistic growth and celebrating those who inspire change through art

“We are honored to name these two legacy residency blocks after Nicole and NedRa, recognizing their invaluable contributions to InterUrban ArtHouse,” said Angi Hejduk, CEO of InterUrban ArtHouse “These spaces will serve as living tributes to their legacies, continuing their work of uplifting and empowering artists ”

ARTSPACE

ArtSpace is InterUrban ArtHouse’s physical location, a nonprofit-owned arts and cultural hub providing affordable space for artists and community in a 10,000 sq. ft. former USPS sorting facility. Renovated and occupied in 2017, IUAH’s property includes 11 single-artist studios, 3 shared studios accommodating 9 multidisciplinary artists, a 3,500 sq. foot gallery/exhibition and event space, a donationbased coffee bar and kitchen, and an on-site art-therapy practice. The outdoor space includes a performance stage loading dock and seating for 50 guests, as well as room enough to accommodate 28 festival tents. In addition, IUAH houses partner arts-nonprofit Art As Mentorship’s studio recording space for emerging young musicians (The LAB).

IMPACT

SNAPSHOT

8 Residencies

19 studios - 23 Artists

12 Community Receptions

100 Open Studio dates for Member Artists

ARTWORKS

ArtWorks - delivered at InterUrban ArtHouse, partner locations, and via Zoom - affords opportunities for entrepreneurial development training to creatives to become professional, self-sufficient small businesses. Through ArtWorks, 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. All classes are offered at low cost or no cost and no one is turned away because of their ability to pay.

IMPACT

SNAPSHOT

1,155 total business development touchpoints, including:

485 artists participants

6 partner curator/gallerists

75 artists benefited from Financial Literacy training

ARTSCONNECT

ArtsConnect represents the community Creative Placemaking and arts advocacy work done by IUAH. Our Creative Placemaking engages regional artists, community members, local businesses, representatives from municipalities, and other key community stakeholders in equitable, representative, arts-centric community development and design, including public art, public gathering spaces, community-wide festivals and public-facing performances. Our advocacy work is in communicating the importance of the arts to local and regional economies, community livability, and quality of life to city, county, state, and national representatives to increase public funding for - and so public impact of - the arts.

IMPACT

SNAPSHOT

36 artists exhibited rotating solo shows in 14 Annex gallery spaces

581,046 estimated library patrons engaging with Annex exhibitions

105 participants in library-based programming

ARTHEALS

ArtHeals provides arts-based mental, emotional, physical, and community health programming and events to the public, including a 6-week annual exhibition dedicated to issues of community and individual health and wellness. ArtHeals seeks to provide a safe environment for sharing, creating and healing, and strives to promote the exploration of self, culture, and identity through purposeful art activities. IUAH includes an on-site art therapy practice - Heartland Art Therapy. Additionally, IUAH organizes and hosts annual, regionwide Health and Wellness Roundtables, during which cross-sector representatives of arts and healthcare organizations discuss community needs and best practices for addressing issues of community health through the arts.

IMPACT

SNAPSHOT

413 audience participants

31 art-therapist led workshops

1 multidisciplinary exhibition and performance featuring 61 unique artists

ARTMATTERS

ArtMatters provides opportunities for artists of all levels wishing to advance their artistic skills, learn new studio methods, participate in discussions and critiques, connect with other creatives, and exhibit their works through the ArtHouse’s 6 annual open exhibitions. ArtMatters programming includes events such as open studio “work” sessions, live model drawing meetups, dance classes, painting classes, musician “jam sessions,” critiquing events, and exhibition receptions. ArtMatters 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.

IMPACT SNAPSHOT

5,044 total participants engaged

226 artists exhibited across five major exhibitions

49 performers engaged in programming

68 skill-building classes

101 open-studio sessions impacting 1,140 participants

ARTSMART

ArtSmart provides pre-K through 12th grade students in Title-1 schools - the majority of whom are economically disadvantaged - with arts enrichment and curriculum integration for enhanced learning. IUAH pays KC metro regional artists from diverse backgrounds and artistic practices to bring the arts to students most sorely in need of it. By connecting with local artists, young people are inspired through dance, story telling, music, poetry, painting, sculpture, mural design, field trips and more. Numerous studies provide hard evidence of the positive outcomes for students who engage in and are engaged by the arts, which students from economically disadvantaged homes have less opportunity and exposure to.