Entries by The Downtown Council of Kansas City

Art in the Loop Launches ‘Art Talk’ Podcast — Meet the Artists Behind the Public Art

Every year, the Art in the Loop Foundation invites its interns to come up with unique and creative ways to collaborate with the artists involved in the project in a way that allows the artists to share more about themselves and how Art in the Loop has shaped their visibility and creative practices. This year’s interns, Frances Story and Jack Warner, along with James Carter (Video Artist and Storyteller), partnered with YesWay Live to produce a new video podcast titled “Art Talk.” In this upcoming series, many of the visual and performing artists from this year’s project will sit down with Jack and Frances to talk about how Art in the Loop gave them a fresh platform for their art, how it feels to have their work displayed to a large public audience, and what their creative processes look like.

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Discover Art, Music, and Community Across Kansas City This Summer

Have you noticed the striking artwork transforming select KC Streetcar shelters throughout downtown Kansas City? As part of the Art in the Loop 2026 program, eight streetcar shelters now feature original works by this year’s selected visual artists. These vibrant installations enliven the streetcar route, inspire curiosity, and celebrate the stories, cultures, and creativity that define our community.

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NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship Brings $2.7 Million Economic Impact to Downtown KC

March excitement returns to Kansas City as the 88th Annual NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship tips off at historic Municipal Auditorium on March 19 – 24th. Each spring, the nation’s top 16 NAIA teams converge downtown for a high-energy, single-elimination tournament that crowns a national champion and creates unforgettable moments for athletes, fans, and the community.

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A message from the new Chair of the Downtown Council, Jason Parson

While we’ve achieved great success, there is still tremendous opportunity for growth. It’s important that we continue building on the momentum created by the streetcar, new and improved green spaces like Luminary Park and Barney Allis Plaza, and the many exciting projects on the horizon.  Whether it’s preparing for the 2026 World Cup, exploring a new downtown baseball stadium, or welcoming new businesses and residents, our message must remain clear – downtown is open for business. Achieving this requires collaboration with our local elected officials and with one another – maintaining a healthy, supportive environment that fosters growth and removes unnecessary barriers to progress.

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