21c Museum Hotels, a multi-venue contemporary art museum and award-winning hospitality company, and Artadia, a nonprofit grantmaker and nationwide community of visual artists, curators, and patrons, are thrilled to announce their collaboration on the second annual 21c Artadia Award.
Launched last year in Louisville, KY, the 21c Artadia Award marked the beginning of a long-term partnership, which will annually provide $10,000 in unrestricted funds to one artist living and working in the unique creative communities where 21c Museum Hotels are located. The 21c Artadia Award is designed to provide essential funding and recognition to artists at pivotal points in their careers, strengthen arts communities, and spur new levels of career achievement.
Open June 15 – July 15, 2022, the Kansas City Award application is an open call, free to apply, and available to visual artists currently living and working within Cass, Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Platte, Ray, and Wyandotte Counties. The 21c Kansas City Artadia Awardee will be announced in August 2022.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with 21c, which allows us to broaden Artadia’s geographic reach and honor artists and arts communities that already thrive outside our program cities,” Executive Director Carolyn Ramo shared. “We look forward to witnessing and recognizing the undeniable rigor and brilliance of artists within Kansas City through this opportunity.”
“We are thrilled that the second 21c Artadia Award will be given to an artist based in Kansas City, home to a vibrant, inclusive arts community,” says 21c Chief Curator and Museum Director Alice Gray Stites. “21c and Artadia share a commitment to supporting today’s most dynamic, engaged artists across the country. Last year’s Awardee, Louisville-based Kiah Celeste, continues to make compelling work that is being exhibited in numerous galleries and has gained broad attention. We expect that the opportunity the award cycle will bring to Kansas City will elevate national awareness of the richness and strength of talent here.”
About Artadia
Artadia is a nonprofit grantmaking organization and a nationwide community of visual artists, curators, and patrons. Over two decades, Artadia has worked collaboratively to foster a more just arts economy and improve the conditions necessary for artists from all backgrounds to thrive. We elevate the careers of artists at critical moments in their practice through a proven combination of recognition, grantmaking, community support, and advocacy. Since its founding in 1999, Artadia has awarded over $5 million in unrestricted funds to over 350 artists in 7 cities, with partnerships like the 21c Artadia Award allowing an even further reach.
About 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City
21c Museum Hotel Kansas City includes a 120-room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, and The Savoy restaurant. 21c Kansas City is located between the Power & Light District and River Market downtown – the perfect base to explore the City of Fountains. The property offers 8,000 square feet of exhibition space featuring rotating, curated contemporary art exhibitions free of charge, seven days a week. 21c Kansas City has 19 suites, including the rooftop 21c Suite with expansive views of downtown. The Savoy, led by executive chef Brandon Brumback, offers a dining experience with deep ties to the community, featuring seasonal ingredients and products from local farmers, distilleries, and family-owned businesses.