I.D.E.A.S.

In the early spring of 2020, the Diversity Working Group (DWG), comprised of Kansas City Art Institute faculty, created a set of recommendations which included the formation of an IDEAS Council, made up of a broad cross-section of faculty, staff, and students to address the critical issues of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Sustainability across all facets of the Institution.

In the wake of nationwide unrest over police killings and systemic racism, the KCAI Student Solidarity Network and Black Student Union issued a list of demands, calling for systemic change and reform of policies and practices that perpetuate racism, anti-black, and colonial systems within our Institution.

From these two sets of actions, the IDEAS Council began to take shape in the fall of 2020, adding members, clarifying its duties and processes, and beginning to meet regularly. In the spirit of transparency and campus-wide communication, we would like to share our collective vision, mission, and membership. In striving for a better KCAI for all, the Council warmly welcomes any feedback and ideas: ideas@kcai.edu

Leonard Pryor Fellowship

Among the goals outlined in IDEAS were attracting, retaining, and supporting faculty from underrepresented groups and providing IDEAS-focused opportunities for faculty, staff, and students. To help support this need, KCAI has created the Leonard Pryor Fellowship to be awarded to an artist or designer whose background and art or design practice will help to foster and support a more inclusive community at the college.

IDEAS Council Members

tyler galloway – Facilitator

Eleanor Lim-Midyett, Lisa Maione – Diversity Working Group co-chairs

Miguel Rivera – Diversity Working Group

Michael Schonhoff - Director of KCAI Gallery

Malisha Meador - Office Coordinator & Technology Specialist

Allegra Eccles - ('24 Graphic Design)

Babs O'Halloran - ('24 Printmaking)

Lucinda Hodges - ('25 Illustration & Creative Writing)

Statement from KCAI on SB134

Here at KCAI, we are committed to protecting all students and giving them safe, inclusive place to learn and thrive.

As such, we want to address the Missouri General Assembly’s recent consideration of legislation to censor gender identity in K-12 public education settings: KCAI is strongly against any legislation that marginalizes the LGBTQ+ community.

We oppose all discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, and strongly believe that Missouri Senate Bill 134 puts students at risk for depression, anxiety, and even suicide.

Here at KCAI, we will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. This bill sends an alarming message to already vulnerable youth in our communities. We understand that this bill is directly aimed at K-12 schools, but we also recognize it sets a dangerous precedent and ramifications for all levels education.

We must stand together to voice our opposition.

The mission of the Kansas City Art Institute is to prepare gifted students to transform the world creatively through art and design, and to do so, students must feel safe and equally protected.