Past Winners

Arts Incubator of Kansas City

Kansas City, Mo.

Jeff Becker, executive director

Year established: 2001

Incubator size: 30,000 square feet

Incubator clients: More than 40

Incubator graduates: 125

www.artsincubatorkc.org

Achievements: Since 2001, the Arts Incubator of Kansas City has helped nearly 170 artists – including painters, sculptors, printmakers, graphic artists, architects, jewelry makers, fashion and furniture designers, writers and videographers – develop the business skills they need to build self-sustaining careers in the arts. Located in a three-story warehouse in Kansas City's nationally recognized Crossroads Arts District, the program offers business workshops, consulting, individual studios and common workplaces for resident clients, as well as gallery space and equipment for work with wood, metal, textiles, painting, photography and printmaking. Clients are required to complete the Kauffman Foundation's FastTrac NewVenture training and ArtBiz, a 12-week professional development program that addresses the challenges of an art career.

Founded by sculptor Jeff Becker, the program's executive director, the Arts Incubator is an independent entity funded by client fees, facility rentals and philanthropic support. The program has grown tremendously during the past 10 years, and a capital campaign is under way to purchase larger facilities that would more than double the number of clients it can serve, from 40 to more than 100. According to Becker, the program's biggest success – besides its incredible growth – is helping to create a nationally known arts district in Kansas City. "The Arts Incubator is dedicated to community involvement," he says. "Through the development of an art gallery, printmaking facilities and the hugely popular Hello Art program for artists and patrons, the Arts Incubator has touched the lives of hundreds of artists and helped them to become entrepreneurs."

Contact NBIA

Phone: (740) 593-4331
Fax: (740) 593-1996
340 West State Street, Unit 25
Athens, OH 45701-1565
info@nbia.org