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The Arts Council of Johnson County / Advocacy
December 23, 2025 In Advocacy, Art, Arts & economic development

The Arts Council of Johnson County Presents: The 2025 Arts Advocate Award Winners

As we ended the year with a celebration of the Johnson County Arts Community as a whole during our Creative Connections Breakfast, we also took the time to honor those individuals that lift our community. Introduced in 2023, The Arts Advocate Award is awarded to individuals who have dedicated significant time, effort, and leadership that has positively impacted the creative economy and community here in Johnson County. This year, we were able to bestow 4 awards on individuals who were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of those dedicated to Johnson County Art. Angi Cain Hejduk is a

March 12, 2025 In Advocacy, Art, Artists, Arts Events, Visual Arts

The Transformative Impact of the Arts

Art is more than just an expression—it is a powerful force for connection, healing, and transformation. The STASH 3 project, led by the Arts Council of Johnson County in collaboration with artist Justin Border, is a perfect example of how creativity can bridge isolation, spark inspiration, and foster a sense of belonging. Creativity as a Catalyst At its core, STASH 3 was designed to challenge artists by providing them with a curated set of materials and inviting them to respond creatively. This seemingly simple act—working with found objects—became a means for artists to push their creative limits. Many participants described the

December 22, 2023 In Advocacy, Art, Arts & economic development, Arts & Humanities, Arts Events, Creative Placemaking, Engaging Community, Music, Performing arts, Photography, Public Art, Visual Arts

Inaugural Arts Advocacy Awards, 2023

Left to Right: Awardees Mayor Mike Boehm and Nicole Emmanuel (Awardee Mayor Peggy Dunn not featured) At the 2023 Creative Connections Breakfast, the Arts Council of Johnson County introduced a new award, the Arts Advocacy Award. This award was given to individuals who have dedicated significant time, effort, and leadership that has, in turn, positively impacted the creative economy and the arts in Johnson County. This could include, but is not limited to: a nominee's impact on arts education, volunteer work in the arts, nominee's work to increase access to the arts for underserved individuals and/or communities, nominee's leadership

October 25, 2022 In Advocacy, Art, Arts & economic development, Arts & Humanities, Arts Events, Creative Placemaking, Engaging Community, Music, Performing arts, Photography, Public Art, Visual Arts

Community Arts Mapping in Johnson County

Community Arts Mapping can be used to tell the story of arts and culture in Johnson County.  It helps us: understand our arts ecosystem, transportation patterns, and paths or barriers to access. grow our awareness of the diverse artists and arts programs that exist in their community, leading to better lines of communication as well as more equitable funding, professional development, and small business assistance. And gives us a better and more complete picture of our creative economy and its economic impact on our region. The mission of the Community Arts Map project is to help our community understand who and where artists, arts,

June 29, 2022 In Advocacy, Art, Arts & economic development, Uncategorized

AEP6 Study Information & Advisory Committee

Johnson County Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6 The arts bring us inspiration and joy and make our community a beautiful place to live and work. Whether they’re located in a small or large town, nonprofit arts and culture organizations contribute to their communities’ quality of life, including their economic development. The nonprofit arts industry generates billions of dollars in economic activity and supports millions of jobs every year. In short, the arts mean business This year in partnership with ArtsKC, the Arts Council of Johnson County will participate in Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6 or AEP6.  Our

May 17, 2022 In Advocacy, Art, Arts & economic development, Engaging Community

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 Study in Johnson County

CHANGE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ARTS The arts bring us inspiration and joy, and make our community a beautiful place to live and work. But the arts do so much more. We are excited to partner with Americans for the Arts to announce the launch of Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), the sixth national study of the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry. While the arts have the potential to impact many aspects of our community, the truth is they also have a power all on their own. The arts are an open invitation to engage in our history,

May 2, 2022 In Advocacy, Art, Arts Council

2022 KS Arts Councils Symposium Planning Committee

The Kansas Arts Councils Symposium brings together Arts Ambassadors around the state of Kansas to facilitate education, partnership, and celebration of the arts in our communities. The Symposium Planning Committee is comprised of arts professionals across the state of Kansas to coordinate and plan the Annual Kansas Arts Councils Symposium. The committee divides into four sub-committees which are Logistics, Sponsorship, Marketing, and Programming. We are excited to announce the committee members for this year's planning committee! The 2022 symposium will take place on Friday, September 30th. Kate AllenJohnson County Community CollegeOverland Park, KS Stacy Barnes547 Art CenterGreensburg, KS Lindsay BenackaDirector of Arts & Cultural

March 1, 2021 In Advocacy

Just As I Am: Exploring Life with Down Syndrome

Amy Allison, Vice President of Education and Advocacy for the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City, said she often starts a conversation about her work by asking people to identify a person they know who lives with Down syndrome. Many, she said, can’t. Their understanding of Down syndrome instead comes from, perhaps, seeing someone at the grocery store or seeing a video on social media. These types of isolated encounters fail to expose people to the full complexity of Down syndrome and the people who live with it—and Allison said the Just As I Am Gallery, which will be

December 8, 2020 In Advocacy, Mental Health, Uncategorized

The Intersection of Art & Mental Health: A Panel Discussion

Susan Rome, LSCSW Susan is the Deputy Director at Johnson County Mental Health Center, where she has worked for 27 years. Susan is an advocate for persons with mental illness and works to reduce stigma, while emphasizing community needs for behavioral health treatment. She has a special interest in self-care and reducing secondary trauma for those in the helping professions. She was founding member of the KS Law Enforcement CIT Council. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from Wichita State University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Kansas. Erin Ross, LMLP I have been working with kids