In North Kansas City, Arts in the Park has spent the past decade celebrating local artwork, music and brews with its annual two-day festival. But aside from the typical art fest fare, stewarding the next generation of creatives has become a cornerstone of the event.
In 2018, the festival launched the Youth Art and Entrepreneurship Program, a four-week session that teaches children aged 10 to 17 how to create, promote and sell their artwork. As Arts in the Park returns to Macken Park on June 12 and 13, students of the program will debut and sell their creations to festivalgoers.
“The program has become really popular,” says Coti Meier, marketing and special events supervisor for North Kansas City Parks and Recreation. “We’re giving kids the experience and education to make a business out of their art.”
On Friday night, the community-centric celebration kicks off with performances from local indie-rock bands Field Daze and Land Lion. On Saturday, dance band The Suburbans headlines. Beyond the stage, the festival includes a beer garden with brews from the nearby Cinder Block Brewery and family-friendly attractions like a petting zoo, bounce houses and more. In partnership with the Ethnic Enrichment Commission of Kansas City, traditional cuisine from across the globe—including Kenya, Jamaica, Germany, Ecuador and Indonesia—will be available for purchase.
Go: June 12 & 13. Times vary. Macken Park. Visit artsinthepark.org to learn more.
