KCAI GALLERY: Center for Contemporary Practice
Launched in 2016 in the Crossroads District and relocated to the Tony Jones Studios on the main campus, the KCAI Gallery: Center for Contemporary Practice serves the mission of KCAI through collaborative, curriculum-based engagements with students, faculty, community and artists in residence. Our new campus gallery presents curatorial outcomes of these engagements that include exhibitions, screenings, lectures, readings, and conversations. This site and related programs hold space for critical thought, reflection, and dialog about current social issues and global challenges in our world.
The KCAI Gallery will continue to work closely with all departments and explore new community partnerships. Our prime location will help facilitate a collaborative, integrated space for KCAI students and offer the public a new destination nestled between the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and the H&R Block Artspace.
Upcoming Exhibition
2021 Annual BFA Exhibition
April 16 – May 15, 2021
The Kansas City Art Institute is pleased to present the 2021 Annual BFA Exhibition to celebrate a new generation of artists and designers earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from KCAI.
Featuring recent work by 140 artists receiving their BFA degrees in Animation, Art History, Ceramics, Creative Writing, Fiber, Filmmaking, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interactive Arts, Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture, the 2021 Annual BFA Exhibition provides many of these artists with their first public exhibition opportunity while also representing the culmination of their BFA degree program.
The 2021 Annual BFA Exhibition is organized for the Kansas City Art Institute by Rodrigo Carazas Portal, AICAD Fellow and Visiting Assistant Professor in Foundation and the BFA Team. Important contributions to the exhibition experience and design, audience engagement, and public programs have been made by the 2021 BFA Exhibition Advisory Council, all members of KCAI’s Class of 2021: Daniel D’Angelo, Fiona Dougan, Anella Fernández, Rylie Lawver, Ipek Pelit, Anthony Williams, and London Williams.
The 2021 Annual BFA Exhibition is hosted by the H&R Block Artspace and the KCAI Gallery. The Artspace and KCAI Gallery are open and free to all. To protect the well-being of visitors, masks and social distancing will be required, venues will limit the number of guests, and all visitors will need to reserve tickets in advance for each venue.
Make timed reservations on Eventbrite to visit each exhibition venue during public hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 12 – 5 p.m.
Register to visit H&R Block Artspace
Register to visit KCAI Gallery
Online Viewing Room
Visit beginning April 23.
Online Viewing Room
Public engagement
The New TNT: Artists at Work and #KCAIGRAD2021
Watch Artspace and KCAI Gallery Facebook and Instagram profiles for featured artworks and artist profiles and dialogues. For more information, if you have questions, or if you need to make special arrangements for your visit, email bfa@kcai.edu.
VISITORS GUIDE
KCAI Gallery is open to the public with free timed-entry tickets. To protect the well-being of visitors and the KCAI community, the Gallery will limit the number of guests. Additionally, all visitors will need to reserve tickets in advance.
Hours
The KCAI Gallery is open with timed, ticketed entry Wednesday through Saturday, 12 – 5 pm.
Wayfinding
Protect yourself and others: maintain a safe distance of 6’ between you and other guests, use the designated entrance and exit, and follow the designated path that leads you through the exhibition. The path through the galleries is marked with arrows.
Masks
For your safety and ours, KCAI requires all individuals on campus to wear a mask during their visits. Please wear your mask both inside and outside of campus buildings. If you find yourself without one, KCAI and the gallery have a limited supply for visitors.
Cleanliness
Surfaces are sanitized throughout the day and hand sanitizer is available at the front desk.
Questions
You can email us at gallery@kcai.edu if you have questions or need to make special arrangements for your visit.
Public Online Programs
The KCAI Gallery is excited to engage artists and audiences in new ways through a series of online programs. Please register for these programs here!