KCAI Gala

Art as Magic: Be Transformed

The gala will take place from 6:30 to 11 p.m. April 14, 2012 at the Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center.

The power of art is in its ability to transform your thinking; to turn an idea upside down or literally stop you in your tracks with its beauty. Celebrate this magical quality at the Kansas City Art Institute’s 2012 Gala. The elegant evening will feature cocktails, a gourmet dinner, dancing and an unforgettable, dazzling performance by KCAI students from the fiber and animation programs. To become part of the performance yourself, wear white or incorporate white into your black-tie-optional attire. Save the date for this magical evening, and be transformed!

Online registration and ticket purchasing for the gala has closed. To register and purchase tickets by phone, call Lauren Thomas, information specialist, at 816-802-3465.

Chairs

Brian Williams and Steve Metzler

Cost

$175 per ticket

Sponsorship opportunities are available

Patron party

Pictured: "Bull," (left) by Ken Ferguson and "Communications" by Duncan McClellan (2011) on display in front a backdrop of the downtown Kansas City skyline in the loft space of Evelyn Craft and Dick Belger at Belger Craneyard Studios.

An exclusive party will be held at Belger Crane Yard Studios for guests who give at the patron level and above. Hosted by Dick Belger, president of Belger Cartage Service, Inc. and Evelyn Craft, executive director of The Belger Arts Center, the patron party provides an opportunity for patrons to meet artists and KCAI alumni who have been instrumental in the transformation of Belger Crane Yard Studios and the Kansas City community.

Belger Crane Yard Studios provides a gallery for ceramic artists and studio spaces for artists currently working in ceramics and metal sculpture and includes The Lawrence Lithography Workshop, where notable artists such as Akio Takamori have come to create art.

Belger and Craft welcome patron party attendees to their private loft, also part of the Belger Crane Yard Studios complex, which is is filled with furniture and decorative arts from the 20th and 21st centuries and which provides extraordinary views of the downtown skyline and the 18th and Vine District.

"What we hope to emphasize with the patron party is the economic impact that KCAI has on the community," said Craft.

"Guests will be able to meet the artists, see some of them at work and experience some hands on art projects. We hope people will come away with a recognition that it's not fluff, it's real people who are creating real businesses that are paying taxes, providing job opportunities and hiring others. The economic impact is truly significant and this will be a fun way to thank the patrons who are supporting KCAI."

Join us from 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 27 at Belger Crane Yard Studios, 2011 Tracy St. for the "Art as Magic" gala patron party.

For more information contact us at 816-802-3463 or email Brigette Chirpich, special events director, at bchirpich@kcai.edu.

Sponsors

Ultimate underwriter

Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation

DST Systems, Inc.
Gala gourment dinner sponsor

Special sponsors

Belger Cartage Service, Inc.
Printed program sponsor

Bryan Cave LLP / Nancy and Herb Kohn
Cocktail Hour sponsor

KC Magazine
Print media sponsor

Major underwriters

Mrs. Robert A. Marshall
Sosland Foundation

Underwriters

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas City
Commerce Bank
Halls Kansas City
Metzler Bros. Insurance
Missouri Bank
Mrs. Jeannette Nichols
Stinson Morrison Hecker
Meg and Bill Zahner
Annie and Rick Zander

Major benefactors

Robert and Phyliss Bernstein
Mary Lou and Tom Brous
Betty and Jordan Bushman
Gastinger Walker Harden Architects
Pam and Gary Gradinger
Adele and Donald Hall
Linda and Topper Johntz
Bill and Peggy Lyons
McCownGordon Construction
Ann and Dan Musser
Jerry & Margaret Nerman, Nerman Family Fund
Lewis and Sue Nerman
Nikki Newton
Bradley and Linda Nicholson
Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP
Sprint
George Terbovich
United Heating Cooling & Plumbing
Jane Voorhees
Joni and Larry Weiner
Clyde and Katie Wendel

Benefactors

Suzanne Eleanor Allen
BKD, LLP
Niki Lee Donawa / Truman Medical Centers
el dorado inc, architects
Entertainment Properties Trust
Tim and Jane Gelvin and Family
Jack and Karen Holland
Janet and Marshall Miller
Rick and Betsey Solberg
JoAnn and William D. Sullivan
Ann and Frank Uryasz
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.
Maurice A. Watson
Mark and Pam Woodard

Patrons

Allen Village School
Anonymous gift in honor of Steve Metzler and Brian Williams
David Brinkerhoff & Dan Meiners
Copaken Family Foundation
Gould Evans
David Hughes, Jr.
Kirk Isenhour and Doug Anning
Mr. James W. Lacy and Mrs. Sherry Cromwell-Lacy
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Longbottom
Merrill Companies / Prairiefire
Network Business Products, Inc.
Kathy and Mike Rainen
Mark and Sandra Spencer
Frank and Helen Wewers

Individual patron sponsor

Glenda Goodman
The Gown Gallery
Sherrill Mulhern

2012 Gala Sponsorship Levels

Ultimate underwriter –– $25,000

  • Featured logo recognition in event invitation* and printed program
  • Recognition signage at event
  • Recognition on KCAI website and in the annual report
  • Verbal recognition from KCAI president during event program
  • Reserved table for 10 at event; 10 patron party tickets
  • Preferred V.I.P. seating

Major underwriter –– $10,000

  • Featured recognition in event invitation* and printed program
  • Recognition signage at event
  • Recognition on KCAI website and in the annual report
  • Reserved table for 10 at event; 10 patron party tickets
  • Preferred V.I.P. seating

Underwriter –– $5,000

  • Featured recognition in event invitation* and printed program
  • Recognition on KCAI website and in the annual report 
  • Reserved seating for 8 at event; 8 patron party tickets
  • Preferred V.I.P. seating

Major benefactor –– $2,500

  • Featured recognition in event invitation* and printed program
  • Recognition on KCAI website and in the annual report
  • Reserved seating for 6 at event; 6 patron party tickets

Benefactor –– $1,500

  • Recognition in event printed program
  • Recognition on KCAI website and in annual report
  • Reserved seating for 4 at event; 4 patron party tickets

Patrons –– $750

  • Recognition in event printed program
  • Recognition on KCAI website and in annual report
  • Reserved seating for 2 at event; two patron party tickets

Individual patron –– $375

  • Recognition in event printed program
  • Recognition on KCAI website and in annual report
  • Reserved seating for 1 at event; 1 patron party ticket

Guest –– $175

  • Seating for 1 at event
  • Recognition in annual report

*Pledges must be received by Jan. 16, 2012, in order to be recognized in the invitation.

Special sponsorships

Gala performance –– $25,000

The gala’s main event is a one-of-a-kind stage performance featuring the creative talents of KCAI students from the fiber and animation programs    
  • Performance listed as “sponsored by” in print and radio ads
  • Reserved table for 10 at event; 10 patron party tickets
  • Preferred V.I.P. seating for performance
  • Special recognition in event invitation*, logo in event printed program and on KCAI website
  • Logo signage on performance stage
  • Verbal recognition in the president’s welcoming address

Gourmet dinner –– $15,000

Guests will be impressed with the decadent meal and artistic presentation of the evening’s gourmet dinner. 
  • Reserved table for 8 at event; 8 patron party tickets
  • Preferred V.I.P. seating for performance
  • Special recognition in event invitation*, logo in event printed program and on KCAI website
  • Logo recognition on all tables
  • Verbal announcement “dinner sponsored by” during the event

Cocktail hour –– $10,000

  • Reserved seating for six at event; six patron party tickets
  • Preferred V.I.P. seating for performance
  • Special logo recognition in event printed program and on KCAI website
  • Logo or name printed on beverage napkins and logo signage on all bars
  • Listing as donor at Major Underwriter level in event invitation

Optional signature drink for an additional $2,500 donation includes:

  • Signature drink named after sponsor served at all bars
  • Drink recipe on back of sponsor-provided business cards given to guests with signature drink

Gala printed program –– $7,500

An important aspect of any performance event and a keepsake guests retain long after the evening has passed.
  • Reserved seating for 6 at event; 6 patron party tickets
  • Preferred V.I.P. seating for performance
  • Special logo recognition on back cover and interior of the event program
  • Listing as donor at Underwriter level in event invitation*
  • Special logo recognition on KCAI website

Ambiance –– $5,000

For an elegant and enchanting evening, the event’s ambiance will include lush table décor, professional lighting and a unique setting to help create a magical night for all who attend.
  • Reserved seating for 6 at event; 6 patron party tickets
  • Preferred V.I.P. seating for performance
  • Special logo recognition in event printed program and on KCAI website
  • Special logo recognition incorporated into key aspects of ambiance
  • Listing as donor at Underwriter level in event invitation* 
*Pledges must be received by Jan. 16, 2012, in order for sponsor to be recognized in the invitation.