Imagine: you’re out to lunch downtown when you randomly stumble across… inspiration.

“That is part of our goal [...] showcase and bring new audiences to artists.” — Ann Holliday, Vice President of the Downtown Council + director of Art in the Loop

Art in the Loop, a multi-sensory summer experience along the KC Streetcar route, is back this summer — starting today. Crews will install new visual art along streetcar stops.

Ann said the purpose of this initiative is to support local artists of all disciplines, starting with visual arts + then incorporating musicians, dancers, and poets.

2022 theme

It all ties into the yearly theme — 2022 is “Sustainable.” Artists should address how one defines sustainability, and “what does a sustainable Downtown Kansas City look like?”

The theme also ties in with the Council’s Imagine Downtown Kansas City 2030 strategic plan as the city works toward an equitable, sustainable, and resilient core.

Call to performing artists

Leaders are looking for performers 18+ living within 50 miles of Kansas City. Their proposed concepts should last 30-60 minutes.

Selected performers will receive a $200-500 stipend, depending on the discipline. Applications are open, including date + location preferences.

Trombone + hip-hop artist @kadeshflow performed last year. | Photo via @artintheloop

Schedule

2022 Art in the Loop Kick-Off | Wed., June 22 | Kansas City Public Library Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. | 5:30 p.m. | Introducing the artists + performances.
July Performance | Wed., July 20 | Oppenstein Park, 12th Street + Walnut Street | 5:30 p.m.
Artwalk + 816 Day Performance | Tues., Aug. 16 | City Market | 5:30 p.m. | Celebrating all things Kansas City on the day of our area code.
Artwalk + September Performance | Wed., Sept. 14 | KC Streetcar stops | 5:30 p.m.
Closing reception | Wed., Nov. 2 | Kansas City Public Library Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. | 5:30 p.m.

Bonus: Ann called Art in the Loop a “hand-in-hand” partnership with the KC Streetcar.

“If you think about the KC streetcar [...] it’s a form of transit connecting people to places, and there’s a similar connection [element] with artwork.”