American Masterpieces

American Masterpieces Kansas is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts’ American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius to provide education programs and access to masterworks by great American artists.

From January 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011, American Masterpieces Kansas is supporting the following programs relating to the Kansas 150 commemoration and featuring works by living or deceased recognized Kansas artists.:

• Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg, $800 to support an exhibition featuring Kansas landscapes by Kansas artist Birger Sandzen.

• Bowlus Fine Arts Cultural Center Trust, Iola, $1,000 to support an afternoon school concert and evening public performance by chamber ensemble Lyric Arts Trio featuring music by Kansas composer Robert Pherigo.

• The Depot Theater Company, Dodge City, $1,000 to support a performance featuring three Kansas artists: Ida Ellen Cox Rath (author), James King (tenor) and David A.R. White (actor and producer).

• Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum Inc., Topeka, $1,000 to support an exhibition and educational programs featuring the works of Kansas artist David Hicks Overmyer.

• Hays Arts Council Inc., Hays, $1,000 to support an exhibition entitled Prairie on Fire featuring works by Kansas artist Louis Copt.

• Hutchinson's Historic Fox Theatre Inc., Hutchinson, $1,000 to support Montana Repertory Theatre’s presentation of Kansas playwright William Inge’s Bus Stop followed by post-performance discussion and workshop for local theatre/drama students and the public.

• Imago Dei: Friends of Christianity & the Arts, Kansas City, Kan., $1,000 to support a theatrical performance of Franklin written by Kansas playwright Lori Lee Triplett.

• Kansas City Chamber Orchestra Inc., Prairie Village, $1,000 to support one public and one school concert featuring music by Kansas composer Jean Belmont Ford.

• Kansas Music Educators Association, Wichita, $1,000 to support a concert of an original composition by Kansas composer Dr. John Leavitt.

• Kansas State University, Beach Museum of Art, Manhattan, $1,000 to support an exhibition featuring photographs by Kansas artist George Kren.

• Lawrence Art Guild Association, Lawrence, $1,000 to support a reception and exhibition featuring Kansas artist Robert Ault.

• Lawrence Arts Center Inc., Lawrence, $1,000 to support an exhibition of prints by four notable charter members of the Kansas-based Prairie Print Makers – Birger Sandzen, Herschel Logan, Norma Bassett Hall and C.A. Seward.

• Lawrence Children's Choir, Inc., Lawrence, $1,000 to support a concert conducted and arranged by Kansas choir director Janeal Krehbiel.

• Manhattan Arts Center, Inc., Manhattan, $1,000 to support an exhibition of Kansas watercolors by Margaret Buie and the ceramics of Gene Sievers, both Kansas artists.

• Newton Fine Arts Association, Newton, $1,000 to support an exhibition featuring Kansas artist Albert Krehbiel.

• Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra Association Inc., North Newton, $1,000 to support a concert featuring the music by Kansas composer Gary Fletcher.

• Ottawa Suzuki Strings Inc., Ottawa, $1,000 to support a concert of music by Kansas composer Charles Hoag, featuring a work commissioned for the occasion.

• Southwest Kansas Live on Stage, Garden City, $1,000 to support a concert featuring music of Kansas jazz musician and educator Frank Mantooth.

• Topeka Symphony Society, Topeka, $1,000 to support two, school day concerts, a family matinee and an evening subscription concert featuring music by Kansas composers Charles Hoag and Kirke Mechem.

• University of Kansas Center for Research Inc. (Lied Center), Lawrence, $1,000 to support Montana Repertory Theatre’s presentation of Kansas playwright William Inge’s Bus Stop and masterclass for KU theatre students.

• Youth Symphony Association of Kansas City Inc., Mission, $1,000 to support a concert featuring Fanfare by Kansas composer Mara Gibson.

During fiscal year 2010, American Masterpieces Kansas is supporting two programs:

Sculptor Patrick Dougherty, who will create a sculpture with treesaplings, outside the Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University, Topeka, in November 2009. Learn more...

Contemporary jazz ensemble Trio Globo, featuring Howard Levy, Eugene Friesen and Glen Velez, in residence in Salina, in conjunction with the Salina Arts and Humanities Commission, in March and June 2010.

In previous years, American Masterpieces Kansas has supported:

• The Topeka Symphony Orchestra (programs featuring music by Aaron Copland)

• Chamber Music at the Barn (community programs featuring performances by The Prairie Trio)

• The Spencer Museum of Art (family, community and educational events around an exhibit of works by Aaron Douglas)

• Native Threads (a touring exhibit, curated and organized by Mid-America Arts Alliance, of works by contemporary Native American quilt artists)

The American Masterpieces Kansas program for fiscal year 2011 will be aligned with the Kansas 150 commemorations and will be announced on January 19, 2009.