Charlotte Street

Charlotte Street Charlotte Street is an artist-centric nonprofit, providing grants and awards, residencies, and free programs/events

Charlotte Street centers Kansas City’s most forward-thinking visual artists, writers, and performers—acting as the primary incubator, provocateur, and connector for the region’s contemporary arts community, and its leading advocate on the national stage. Since 1997, Charlotte Street has distributed over $1.85 million in awards and grants to artists and their innovative projects, and connected individual artists to each other and to the greater Kansas City community.

Join us this weekend for COLD GRAVY BOWL II: THE COLDEST BOWL II featuring True Lions, The Matchsellers as well as Burly...
08/25/2026

Join us this weekend for COLD GRAVY BOWL II: THE COLDEST BOWL II featuring True Lions, The Matchsellers as well as Burly Esque, Cary McRoberts, Crystal Skram, Matt Hawkins, Scary Cherry, Spy World and Stuntman Lunchbox. Performances will be this Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29—doors open at 7 PM each night. Grab tickets through Eventbrite by going to bit.ly/cst-coldgravybowl2.

A sequel to the 2024 stage production, COLD GRAVY BOWL II continues the surreal saga of country showman Amos Biskit, whose onstage accident unleashed chaos between worlds. Blending live music, drag, and theatrical spectacle, True Lions return with a wild, satirical sequel exploring fame, greed, and damnation all set to a raucous soundtrack that reimagines bluegrass through heavy, genre-bending performance.

Applications are now open for Art Omi: Artists! Every year, through a Charlotte Street fellowship at Art Omi, one Kansa...
08/17/2026

Applications are now open for Art Omi: Artists! Every year, through a Charlotte Street fellowship at Art Omi, one Kansas City-based artist is given the opportunity to attend this highly competitive international residency program in Ghent, New York.

Want to learn more about the application process and the Art Omi: Artists residency experience? Join us in the Charlotte Street Library on Wednesday, August 19 from 6:00-7:00 PM for an application Info Session and Artist Talk by 2025 Art Omi resident Juan Diego Gaucin.

Last year, Art Omi received 1,500 applications for this visual artist residency from across the globe - 800 from the United States alone. The Charlotte Street fellowship through Art Omi ensures an artist from the Kansas City area is included in the cohort. Art Omi: Artists invites 30 artists from around the world, representing a wide diversity of artistic styles and practices, to gather in rural New York for four weeks each summer to experiment, collaborate and share ideas.

For Charlotte Street's 2027 residency opportunity, all visual artists and culture bearers currently living in the Kansas City region are eligible to apply. The selected artist receives a three week, fully-funded residency in June/July of next year of and a $500 stipend.

Image Credit: Juan Diego Gaucin, Faith In A Dream, 2024

Want to learn more about the application process for the 2027 Visual Artist Awards? On Thursday, August 13 from 6-7:30 P...
08/12/2026

Want to learn more about the application process for the 2027 Visual Artist Awards? On Thursday, August 13 from 6-7:30 PM we'll be hosting an info session specifically for the Visual Artist Awards at next year's exhibition host, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art!

Since 1997, Charlotte Street’s Visual Artist Award has supported 116 outstanding visual artists living in Kansas City through annual, unrestricted cash awards, with a total of $901,500 now distributed directly to visual artists. These competitive awards recognize locally based artists who are creating outstanding artwork and show great accomplishment and promise. These awards provide financial support, critical attention, and increased exposure for these artists with the aim of fostering their continued artistic and professional development.

The winning artists are further recognized with a professionally curated exhibition of their work at a high profile, non-profit local art venue as well as a printed brochure featuring color reproductions, commissioned critical essay, and related promotion. Next year's venue is the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art!

Through the Awards program, Charlotte Street seeks to contribute to the vitality of Kansas City’s art community and to enhance Kansas City’s desirability as a place for artists to work and live.

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Can't make it to the info session? A digital recording will be made available on Charlotte Street's website and YouTube channel after the event.

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Applications for the 2027 Visual Artist Awards and the Generative Performing Artist Awards are open now on Submittable (bit.ly/charlottestreet-apply). Deadline for applications is Friday, September 4, 2026 at 11:59 (Central Time Zone). In order to be considered, artists must reside within 80 miles of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and have lived in this area for at least one year and must not be a full time student.

Want to learn more about the application process for the 2027 Generative Performing Artist Awards? Tomorrow, Wednesday, ...
08/11/2026

Want to learn more about the application process for the 2027 Generative Performing Artist Awards? Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12 from 6-7:30 PM we'll be hosting an info session specifically for the Generative Performing Artist Awards at Charlotte Street!

Since 1997, Charlotte Street’s Generative Performing Artist Award has supported 35 outstanding artists living in Kansas City through annual, unrestricted cash awards, with a total of $350,000 now distributed directly to artists in the field of dance, music, theatre, and writing. These competitive awards recognize locally based artists who are creating outstanding artwork and show great accomplishment and promise. These awards provide financial support, critical attention, and increased exposure for these artists with the aim of fostering their continued artistic and professional development.

The winning artists are further recognized with a professionally produced video in Charlotte Street's state-of-the-art black box theater.

Through the Awards program, Charlotte Street seeks to contribute to the vitality of Kansas City’s art community and to enhance Kansas City’s desirability as a place for artists to work and live.

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Can't make it to the info session? A digital recording will be made available on Charlotte Street's website and YouTube channel after the event.

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Applications for the 2027 Visual Artist Awards and the Generative Performing Artist Awards are open now on Submittable (bit.ly/cst-apply). Deadline for applications is Friday, September 4, 2026 at 11:59 (Central Time Zone). In order to be considered, artists must reside within 80 miles of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and have lived in this area for at least one year and must not be a full time student.

Help Charlotte Street clean out and fix up our workshop space!We'll be having a clean out to haul away, and organize the...
08/07/2026

Help Charlotte Street clean out and fix up our workshop space!

We'll be having a clean out to haul away, and organize the workshop space the way we know best—as a party! We need volunteers from 9 AM-2 PM. Join us and we'll provide coffee, snacks, and pizza (alongside our immense gratitude).

All skill and ability levels welcome.

🛻 Folks with trucks your assistance would also be greatly appreciated! 🛻

If you can make it, let us know by signing up through Charlotte Street's SignUpGenius at bit.ly/cst-volunteer. Check out other opportunities to volunteer with us while you're there!

REMINDER: Charlotte Street is looking for a Development Manager to help strengthen and grow the support that makes our w...
08/07/2026

REMINDER: Charlotte Street is looking for a Development Manager to help strengthen and grow the support that makes our work possible!

The priority deadline is Monday, August 10 (though the application will remain open until an appropriate candidate is hired).

This role is equal parts relationship-building and strategy, leading individual and corporate fundraising efforts, stewarding donors, coordinating special events, and helping advance Charlotte Street's mission through thoughtful development planning.

We're seeking someone organized, self-motivated, and a clear communicator, with experience in nonprofit fundraising or development and a passion for Kansas City's contemporary arts community. If you enjoy connecting with people, building meaningful partnerships, and helping artists and organizations thrive, we want to hear from you.

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Full time + benefits
Pay starting at $60,000

🗓️ Apply by August 10 (rolling until filled)

📧 Apply by send the following in an email to [email protected] (preferably as one packaged PDF attachment with email cover letter). The email subject line should read "Development Manager"

⚫ Short statement of interest (can be in the body of the email, no separate cover letter required)
⚫ CV/resume (should include contact information for 3 references who can speak to working directly with you professionally in different capacities, peers/managers/collaborators, ).
⚫ Writing sample (donor appeal, grant, etc.)

→ Learn more and see the full listing by going to charlottestreet.org/about/work-with-us

08/06/2026

Applications are open for the 2027 Visual Artist Awards and Generative Performing Artist Awards! Annually, three visual artists and two generative performing artists are selected to receive $10,000 unrestricted grants.

In 2027, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art will partner with Charlotte Street to host the Visual Artist Awards Exhibition. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM through Submittable. The application can be found by going to bit.ly/charlottestreet-apply.

Interested in learning more about the awards? Attend an info session!

An info session for the Generative Performing Artist Awards will be held on Wednesday, August 12 from 6-7 PM at Charlotte Street Kemper Library (3333 Wyoming St, KCMO).

An info session for the Visual Artist Awards will be held on Thursday, August 13 from 6-7 PM at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (4420 Warwick Blvd, KCMO).

RSVP for info sessions by going to bit.ly/cst-eventrsvp or by clicking the link in our bio! Recordings of both info sessions will also be made available digitally on Charlotte Street's website and YouTube channel.

Learn more about the Charlotte Street Visual Artist Awards and Generative Performing Artist Awards → bit.ly/charlottestreet-calls

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Photo Credit: 2025 Visual Artist Fellows Exhibition @ Spencer Museum of Art; 2026 Fellow Dwight Frizzell’s Spirit in Sonic Art: BRIDGE; 2024 Fellow Kevin Demery @ Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; 2026 Fellow Karen Lisondra @ Charlotte Street Gala: Wonder Worlds (photo: threethree photography); 2025 Fellow Noelle Choy @ Spencer Museum of Art.

Announcing the recipients of the 2026 Cultural Producer Grants! This year, Charlotte Street has awarded 5 grassroots art...
08/05/2026

Announcing the recipients of the 2026 Cultural Producer Grants! This year, Charlotte Street has awarded 5 grassroots arts organizations and artist-run projects in Kansas City with general operating grants of $5000.

The 2026 recipients include –
Flew the Coop Sessions
Greenwood Social Hall, The Greenwood Social Hall
Jardín
Kansas City Public Theatre, Kansas City Public Theatre
Kostas Contemporary, Kostas Contemporary

Kansas City has long enjoyed a thriving and diverse ecology of low-budget artist-run spaces, collectives, groups and organizations. The collective impact of these grassroots operations to both our arts community and to the cultural landscape of Kansas City is enormous. Whether permanent or temporary, these groups nurture and grow artists creatively and become powerful engines of community. Through the Cultural Producer Grant program, Charlotte Street seeks to help build capacity, sustainability, visibility, and further funding viability for art operations with budgets under $50,000.

Through Charlotte Street’s juried selection process, 100% of funds for Cultural Producers is awarded in support of organizations whose mission and leadership will positively impact the advancement of BIPOC, LGBTQIA, or Disabled communities, in recognition of the oppression of those communities in the art sector and the gap that has created particularly in the Kansas City art scene.

07/29/2026

Charlotte Street's annual In(SITE) series with Brandon Draper showcasing Kansas City's drummers and percussionists returns Friday, August 7 @ 7 PM!

This performance is in celebration of the drum machine featuring Kansas City's top music producers, beat makers, and finger drummers. Plus there will be a special musical tribute to KC's own legendary drummer, James Gadson, performed by DJ JOC MAX.

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The development of drum machines has transformed music production from simple automated accompaniment into a versatile and expressive form of musical performance. Early drum machines were designed to provide rhythmic support for musicians, but continued advances in electronic sound generation, digital sampling, and music technology expanded their creative potential.

As these devices evolved, they became widely adopted across numerous musical genres, valued not only for their precision and convenience but also for their distinctive sounds and performance capabilities. Modern hardware instruments and digital audio workstations now enable producers to create realistic, dynamic rhythms through live performance techniques such as finger drumming, blending human expression with digital technology.

Today, drum machines are no longer viewed solely as substitutes for live drummers but as essential instruments that have significantly influenced contemporary music creation and performance.

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→ RSVP by clicking the link in our bio or by going to bit.ly/cst-eventrsvp. Admission is free; seating is first come, first served. 🥁🤖

Charlotte Street is excited to announce the next exhibition: Digital Prairie! The exhibition will open Saturday, August ...
07/22/2026

Charlotte Street is excited to announce the next exhibition: Digital Prairie! The exhibition will open Saturday, August 15 with a reception from 3–5 PM; the exhibition will remain on view through Saturday, September 26, 2026.

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Curated by
Steve Gurysh + Poppy DeltaDawn

Contributing Artists
Colette + Jeff Bangert
Raven Chacon
Poppy DeltaDawn
Michael Jones McKean
Steve Gurysh
Jeanine Oleson

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Digital Prairie is a technological choir reverberating the landscape. Through the vocabularies, gestures, and geometries of machine language, musical composition, basketry, weaving and threadwork, tree harvesting, mystic architecture, computer-aided imaging and expression; together, these artists present craft, technology, and environment as a holistic and monstrous hybrid, an intergenerational, cross-cultural survey of human-computer-prairie interaction.

The prairie itself serves as subject and cautionary tale, as an ecosystem broken by innovation. John Deere's steel prairie-breaking plow of 1837 could finally slice through millennia-old root systems that wooden plows could not pe*****te. By 1874, Joseph F. Glidden's patented machine was mass-producing barbed wire, a low-cost means of enclosing agricultural land across the largely treeless plains. Over four decades, these technologies accelerated Western expansion and enabled the systematic displacement of Native peoples from ancestral lands.

The artists in Digital Prairie reconfigure traditional and speculative knowledge through the lens of computer-aided craft, material culture and practices in land stewardship and connection. Their works converge on a critical insight that computational abstraction leaves concrete ecological footprints—marks of human activity in the geological record through an irreversible meshing of environment and infrastructure. This exhibition asks whether technology might be reoriented from an extractive force toward a regenerative one. Can our digital tools learn to grow like grass—randomly, recursively?

Address

3333
Kansas City, MO
64111

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12pm - 5pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+18162215115

Website

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