Constituent support
The Art Institute has a number of resource development programs designed to provide information and opportunities for donors to support projects of special interest to them.
Alumni giving
Our alumni support the college in a variety of ways. They generously donate artwork to our biennial art and design auction, offer support as hosts to interns, encourage talented young people to attend KCAI, speak in our professional practice series, act as emissaries in the community and make financial contributions to the annual fund.
Corporation and foundation partners
The Art Institute is grateful for all of our corporate and foundation partners. Providing the greater part of the college’s funding, they are truly the pillars of support for the Art Institute.
Corporate and foundation investments in our students, faculty, programs, and facilities significantly impact the future of art and design in America, the creative culture in Kansas City, the economic health of this region, and the lives of many talented young people who will go on to be leaders in the fields of art and design.
Our Corporate Partners program offers a variety of benefits for organizations to become more involved with students, faculty, and alumni, as well as art and design education and additional marketing opportunities. For more information about the Corporate Partners Program membership benefits, please contact Dawn Sparks at 816-802-3521.
Board of trustees
Our 30-member board of trustees is composed of business, civic and community leaders who oversee all of the college’s enterprises and activities. They provide strong leadership, counsel and support for the work of the college. One hundred percent of the Board members make annual gifts to the Art Institute, contributing nearly one quarter of the operations fund raising goal each year. In addition, they also support campus, facilities and endowment projects.
The Warwick Society
Created in the Fall of 2005, the Warwick Society is a great way to experience exciting adventures in the arts.
Young Professionals Group
The newest group to join the Art Institute, the YPG is a a fun way to network, learn about the art and design community in Kansas City, and experience great art first hand.
Please visit the YPG Home page.
Faculty and staff
In addition to providing a first-rate teaching and learning environment for students, faculty and staff also participate in fund-raising activities by donating work to our biennial art and design auction and by making charitable gifts to the Annual Fund and special campus projects.
Auxiliaries
Throughout its history, the Kansas City Art Institute has been fortunate to have three auxiliary groups whose functions are to raise awareness and funds for the college. These three groups are an integral part of the history and tradition of college. For more than 65 years, auxiliary members have been ambassadors in the Kansas City community for KCAI.
The Fireside Committee
The Fireside Committee was first activated as an “entertainment committee” in 1932 during the dark time of the depression. In 1998 it established an endowed scholarship fund, which it adds to on an annual basis. Each year the group hosts a fall fund-raising event designed to raise money for its endowed scholarship and general fund scholarships. The “Fête de Noël” holiday luncheon is held annually in early December and signals the beginning of a wonderful holiday season. Throughout the Fireside Committee's long history in Kansas City, its members have helped to make the Art Institute an important cultural force in the city.
Click here to learn more about the Fireside Committee.
Sketch Box Committee
The Sketch Box Committee, organized in 1948, focuses on educating its members about art and artists and promoting interest in KCAI in the community. They hold monthly meetings, often in private homes with collections, art galleries or artists’ studios. Their programs often feature a demonstration or discussion by a guest artist.
Vanderslice Committee
Built in 1896, Vanderslice Hall and the surrounding land were purchased by philanthropist and arts patron Howard Vanderslice and donated to the Kansas City Art Institute in 1927. The building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Vanderslice Committee, the youngest of the auxiliaries, was formed in 1963 to raise funds to help maintain the building. In 1965, the Vanderslice Kitchens and Homes Tour was launched as the Committee’s major fundraising project. Over forty years later, it is still a popular spring attraction in Kansas City.
Special events
Annual gala - Auction and Masquerade
Art of the Car Concours
Have your next corporate meeting or event at KCAI.
Other events
Upcoming Warwick Society events
2007 Vanderslice Kitchens and Homes Tour
Giving clubs
- Medici’s Circle - $25,000 +
- Della Rovere’s Circle - $10,000 - $24,999
- D’Este’s Circle - $1,000 - $9,999
- Montefeltro’s Circle - $500 - $999
- Gonzaga’s Circle - $250 - $499
- Farnese’s Circle - $100 - $249
- Sforza’s Circle - $1 - $99
Ways to make a gift for current programs and projects
The Art Institute’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. The most common ways that our donors make gifts to the annual fund or current projects are by:
- Check
- Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express)
- Stock or bonds
- In kind gifts or pro bono services
For more information, please contact the Advancement Office at 816-802-3417.
The Kansas City Art Institute is a qualified 501 (c) (3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax deductible in the manner and extent provided by law. Donors are recognized in the KCAI annual report unless they request otherwise.