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The Arts Council of Johnson County / Arts & Humanities
November 3, 2025 In Art, Arts & economic development, Arts & Humanities, Arts Council

Recognizing National Arts & Humanities Month in Johnson County

On October 21, 2025, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners formally recognized and proclaimed October as National Arts and Humanities Month.  National Arts & Humanities Month is a national initiative to create a national focus on the arts. This initiative shines a light on the effects of the arts and humanities, including but surely not limited to embodying the wisdom, intellect, and imagination of humanity, enriching lives, and improving our individual and collective well-being.  In Johnson County, the nonprofit arts industry generated $38.5 million in economic activity in 2022. This spending includes $23.1 million in event spending by the audiences of

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,

September 21, 2021 In Arts & Humanities, Arts in education

Recommended Reading List for Local History

Want to know more about the history of this region? Here is a short recommended reading list from the Johnson County Museum’s curator of interpretation, Andrew Gustafson. From the Border War to the postwar suburbs, these books will give you a deeper look at how Johnson County and the Kansas Cities developed. A Pictorial History of Johnson County, Kansas by Johnson County Museum (2006) This book is an excellent overview of Johnson County’s history, from prehistory through the early 2000s. If you want to get a sense of the place, the people, and the episodes of history that shaped Johnson County, this