School & Community Programs
Arts integration programs to inspire student learning.
KCYA's School and Community Programs works with a roster of nearly 150 artists to provide dynamic and educational arts programs to children in schools, libraries, community centers, and hospitals throughout the greater Kansas City area.
With performances, residencies, workshops, and after-school programs in nearly every artistic discipline and covering numerous academic subjects KCYA's School and Community Programs reinforce core curriculum as well as cultivate artistic expression; unleashing ideas, creativity, and individual problem solving skills.
Title 1 Schools
Title I schools in both Kansas and Missouri are eligible to receive programs at a discounted price. In Missouri, these discounts are made possible by the Missouri Arts Council. A maximum of two program subsidies per school, per year applies as limited funds are available. Contact us at 816-531-4022 to find out more information.
Welcome to our In-school Program Catalog!
Browse all programs.
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Search and sort programs.
Helpful Hint:
To view our VIRTUAL program offerings (both pre-recorded and live) use keyword VIRTUAL.
To view our SEL (Social Emotional Learning) programs use keyword SOCIAL EMOTIONAL.
To view STEM and STEAM programs use keyword STEAM.
How to schedule a KCYA program:
Having this information available when you call to book your program will help make the process more efficient.
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Program(s) that interest you
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Preferred program date(s) as well as two alternate date(s)
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Preferred program time(s)
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Grade range and size of audience
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Name and phone number of a contact person-responsible for all aspects of the booking
Call Nick Ratliff at 816.531.4022 ext 1008 or email booknow@kcya.org if you have any questions or are ready to create your Arts Partners plan.
How to Fund Your Program
Funding is available from more sources than you may have thought!
Additional funding for educational arts programs may be found through these resources:
Title 1 Discounts:
Through the generosity of the Missouri Arts Council and other donors KCYA provides subsidies to qualified schools. These funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to the funds available. Choose the performance or workshop you would like to have and call us at 816-531-4022.
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WORKSHOPS
Regular PricePrice for Title 1 Schools
$95 - $220up to 1/2 price (plus materials)
PERFORMANCES
Regular PricePrice for Title 1 Schools
$251 - $724Up to 1/2 price
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ESSER Funds:
Ask your administrator if ESSER funds are available to pay for your arts education programs!
Your PTA/PTO:
Many PTAs/PTOs are willing to raise money or already have money allocated to support arts enrichment activities. We are happy to come and present ideas to your PTA/PTO. Please call us at 816-531-4022 to set up a meeting.
A variety of grants are also offered by the Missouri Arts Council. The School Touring grant for schools outside of Kansas City and the Artist in Residence grant which is great for after-school programming are both available for schools and community agencies. The Big Yellow Bus grant will pay for transportation to arts related activities.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA):
Two giving areas for the NEA include Access to Artistic Experience and Learning for the Arts for Children and Youth.
National Assembly for State Arts Agencies (NASAA):
NASAA is not a grant-making organization, but their website includes a list of foundations that support arts and culture.
Kids In Need Teacher Grants provide K-12 educators with funding to provide innovative learning opportunities for their students. The Kids In Need Foundation helps to engage students in the learning process by supporting our most creative and important educational resource — our nation's teachers.
Businesses:
Corporations such as Target, Bank of America and Wal-Mart offer grants to schools. Visit the community relations page on their websites or stop by a local branch/store to ask how to apply for a grant.
Civic Groups:
Civic groups such as the Junior League, Optimists, and Kansas City Young Matrons, etc., provide grants to organizations that serve children and families through the arts.
This website allows organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant-making agencies. Grants.gov is the single access point for more than 1,000 grant programs.
Local Arts Councils:
County arts councils may offer grants to schools in support of arts-based programming.
Local Foundations:
Many local foundations such as the Francis Family Foundation will provide grants for arts programs in schools. The Small Arts Grants Fund is available for schools. (Please note that individual artists cannot apply for this grant.)
School & Community Programs FAQs
What information do I need to have ready when scheduling a program?
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The programs that interests you
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Preferred program dates as well as 2 or 3 dates that will work for your schedule
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Preferred time of day
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Audience size and grade levels
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How you plan to pay for your program
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Name, title, and phone number of contact person who will be responsible for booking the program
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How will I know when the program I booked is confirmed?
KCYA programs are subject to artist availability. After the artist has verified his/her availability, we will confirm the details with you by phone or e-mail. We recommend that you schedule programs as early in the school year as possible to reserve the artists and dates of your preference.
Upon program confirmation, you will also receive an email confirming the details of the booking. Three to four weeks before the event you will receive a Program Confirmation/Invoice, a Teachers Program Guide, and a Program Evaluation Form in the mail. Please make sure all equipment needs listed on the Program Confirmation are met by the date of the program.
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Who is responsible for classroom management?
For all workshops, residencies, and performances, a teacher or a school administrator representative must be present in the room at all times. There are no exceptions to this policy.
What is the Teachers Program Guide?
KCYA has prepared a Teachers Program Guide (TPG) for each program that details the teaching artist's biography, program goals and objectives, discussion ideas, pre- and post-activities, vocabulary words, and teacher resources. These guides provide the teacher with supplemental information to enhance the educational value of the program.
The Teachers Program Guides will be included with your confirmation email once a program has been booked. It is included with the Confirmation/Invoice that will be mailed to you 3 to 4 weeks before the event. The guide may also be downloaded from our online catalog. Please share this guide with educators, parents, administrators, and other interested parties prior to every KCYA program.
What forms of payment does KCYA accept?
Credit Cards: Amex, Discover, MasterCard and Visa
Checks: payable to Kansas City Young Audiences
Mail checks to:
Kansas City Young Audiences
3732 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
When is the payment due?
Once you receive your confirmation, please return the invoice along with your payment to the Kansas City Young Audiences office. Payment must be received at least 5 days before the scheduled program. If payment is not received by that date, the program may be cancelled. Please do not give payments to the artist at the scheduled event, as they are not authorized to accept payments. If your payment is late please notify our scheduling coordinator as soon as possible.
Is there any funding available for KCYA programs?
KCYA has limited funding to assist Title 1 schools with program fees. In addition, there are several grant opportunities available to schools in both Kansas and Missouri that will cover some of the costs of our arts education programs. See Funding Assistance.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my confirmed program?
CANCELLATION: If you need to cancel a program, please contact your scheduling coordinator 2 business days prior to the scheduled program. Clients who cancel a program with fewer than 2 business days notice will be billed the full cost of the program.
RESCHEDULE: If you need to reschedule a program, please contact your scheduling coordinator as soon as possible. Clients who reschedule a program with fewer than 2 business days notice will be charged an additional fee equal to 20% of the total program cost.
What happens when there is inclement weather or a snow day?
If your school or organization is closed because of inclement weather please contact us immediately so that we can notify the Teaching Artist. We will then reschedule the program for another date. There will be no rescheduling fee, as these things are uncontrollable.
If you have any further questions, please call or email Nick Ratliff at 816-531-4022 ext. 1008.