Masquerade 2008: Flashback to the '60s

It's what happened, baby !

Every other year, the Art Institute hosts a themed Masquerade like none other in Kansas City to raise funds for student scholarships. Thank you to all who supported and attended the most successful Masquerade to date. On May 3 at the Crown Center Exhibit Hall, more than 400 guests enjoyed a fun evening, which included a "living art" performance, go-go dancers, delicious food, creative and groovy costumes, incredible music and live interactive video. Former Mayor Kay Barnes served as honorary chair, and Joni and Larry Weiner were event chairs. (Pictured above: Joni and Larry Weiner, event chairs; and Kathleen Collins, KCAI president. Pictured below: Kay Barnes, honorary chair and former Kansas City mayor.)

We raised more than $300,000 that directly impacted the 99 percent of KCAI students who benefit from some form of financial aid; a diverse group of talented young artists and designers who might not be able to pursue their artistic dreams without your support.

A highlight of the evening was the "living art"performance that expressed the '60s theme while showcasing the creative talents of the Art Institute's students and guest performers, Burlesque Downtown Underground. Thank you to Novus Viscus for creating the video installations.

A special thank you to DST Systems, Inc. for sponsoring the fabulous gourmet dinner; Brian Cave, LLC/Nancy & Herb Kohn for sponsoring the far out cocktail hour and Golden Star, Inc./Pam & Gary Gradinger for sponsoring the groovy program.

Kansas City Art Institute will double endowment to $40 million, meets $10 million Marshall Challenge target three years early

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 18, 2007) - The Kansas City Art Institute today announced it has secured gifts and pledges to double its endowment to $40 million by meeting a $10 million challenge grant the college received in 2005. With a target deadline of 2010, the Art Institute raised the matching $10 million three years ahead of schedule.

"When our longtime friend and trustee Barbara Hall Marshall came to us with this magnificent challenge of $10 million, to be used as an incentive for a match, we were thrilled and stunned," said Gary Gradinger, chairman of the KCAI board of trustees. "We knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to double our endowment and secure the financial stability of our college well into the future.

"To have completed the match so quickly says volumes about the community's respect and admiration for Mrs. Marshall, who has served on our board for four decades and whose support for the college has never wavered," Gradinger continued. "It also is a statement about the community's confidence in the college and its leadership."

Gradinger saluted trustee and former board chair Charles Sosland as well as former board members Charles Egan and Scott Francis for their success in spearheading the drive to meet the challenge and for achieving the goal three years ahead of schedule. "Their leadership and commitment have made this extraordinary success possible," he said. Gradinger also commended the members of the Marshall Challenge Task Force for effectively supporting the efforts of the three co-chairs.

Kathleen Collins, who is entering her second decade as president of the Kansas City Art Institute, said few things are as vital to the future of a college as the strength of its endowment. The operations of the Art Institute, a private four-year college of art and design, are primarily funded through tuition paid by its 665 students, supplemented with a payout of no more than 4 percent from the college's endowment, which had risen in recent years to about $20 million.

"The investment earnings from the first gifts to the Marshall Challenge are being used to help underwrite our new faculty and staff compensation plan," President Collins said. "Recruiting and retaining the best faculty, administrators and staff is vital, since our educational 'product' is only as good as the people who develop and deliver it. The new compensation plan significantly enhances our ability to do both.

"Increased income from our endowment also will be used for student scholarships," Collins continued. "Scholarships are vital in helping us to recruit and retain outstanding art and design students, who in turn become the artists and designers on whom our reputation is built. Ultimately, our success in meeting the Marshall Challenge helps to secure our reputation as one of the finest schools of art and design in the United States."

Noting the college's continued record enrollment, seven-year track record of a balanced budget, recent completion of $27 million in campus improvements and 10-year reaccreditation announced earlier this month by the Higher Learning Commission, Collins said, "It is impossible for me to fully express my gratitude to Mrs. Marshall for her vision and support. Her gift will impact every facet of the school for years to come. We are well positioned to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity, and the days ahead for the Art Institute are indeed bright."

Collins noted that Mrs. Marshall did not seek and does not wish for recognition. "Her only desire is to see that the talented young artists and designers who come to this campus each fall have a chance at their dreams," Collins said.

"It hardly seems possible that I have served on the Art Institute's board for 40 years," Mrs. Marshall said. "People have come and gone. Buildings and the campus have changed over the years. But the one thing that has remained constant is the school's dedication to its mission of preparing the artists and designers of tomorrow.

"Under Kathleen Collins' leadership, assisted by a very able board of trustees, the school is prospering in ways that those of us long associated with the college have dreamed of," she said. "The quality of the faculty and the talent of the students have never been higher. And the Art Institute's service to the community has helped make Kansas City a real arts destination."

The Kansas City Art Institute is a private, independent four-year college of art and design, awarding the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with majors in animation, art history, ceramics, digital filmmaking, fiber, graphic design, interdisciplinary arts, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and studio art with an emphasis in creative writing. The college also offers evening, weekend and summer classes in art, design, multimedia studies and desktop publishing for children, youth and adults. Founded in 1885, KCAI is Kansas City's oldest arts organization.