A new school year always feels like a fresh start—a time to nourish creative spirits through self-expression, push the boundaries through making, doing, and thinking, and build new collaborative relationships. This week 700 students — our biggest fall enrollment since 2013 — joined us on campus for a slate of welcome back activities. On Monday they started in-person studio classes and hybrid online/in-person liberal arts classes. Take a look at the video to see the energy and fun of the first few days on campus.
August 24, 2021
KCAI dedicates the William T. Kemper Painting Studios
Three people who had a tremendous influence on the college and the Painting program were celebrated earlier this month at the dedication of the William T. Kemper Painting Studios, Lester Goldman Gallery, and Wilbur Niewald Senior Studios. The building is named in honor of William “Bill” T. Kemper, a board of trustee member from 1933 to 1989, a person who believed in giving, sharing, and in the arts. Bill’s nephew Jonathan Kemper, Chairman Emeritus, Commerce Bank said, “Bill Kemper provided leadership and resources to this college for decades, as his bequest will continue to do in the future. Today, with the naming of this building, we are doing something special to remind ourselves of this deep devotion to the Kansas City Art Institute, which was indeed one of Bill’s life-long passions. I’d like to thank KCAI for this recognition of my great uncle, keeping his memory alive in a place he worked so long to sustain and to flourish. According to Nerman President Tony Jones, the naming is also in homage to the Kemper family for the many ways they support KCAI. “We can’t overestimate the dedication of the Kemper family to this college. So, I must say to Jonathan, read more…
August 24, 2021
KCAI invests in career readiness with the NEW Professional Practice Center
What happens when a studio artist and a business expert work together to create a career readiness program? You get the dynamic new Professional Practice Center, which empowers students and alumni to find success after graduation no matter which career path they choose. Led by Senior Director of Corporate and Community Programs Randy Williams and Artist and Career Readiness Coordinator Cory Imig, ProPractice has been renamed and reorganized to bring internships, alumni mentorships, professional development programming, and a career database all under one cohesive program. Combined with the major-specific guidance they receive in the classroom from faculty, students will utilize the ProPractice Center to be well-prepared to start their career after graduation. According to Cory, the goal is simple. “We want to help every student leave KCAI more confident about what they want to accomplish and how they are going to do it. Whether it’s working at a large company, starting a studio practice, building a business, or going to graduate school, they’ll have a plan and understand the steps it takes to accomplish their goals.” When the program launches in September, students can access the ProPractice Portal, a new platform that connects students and alumni to career and internship read more…