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The Arts Council of Johnson County / Shooting Stars
Photo with 2026 Shooting Stars, recognition, scholarship and awards
February 19, 2026 In Literary scene, Performing arts, Shooting Stars, Visual Arts

2026 Shooting Stars Finalists

Introducing the 2026 Shooting Stars Class! The Shooting Stars Program was created in 1997 to showcase the incredible artistic talent we have in our Johnson County schools. Since then, thousands of students have gone through our program and have become artists and changemakers, directly influencing the community and those around them. Join us on April 12, 2026 at the Midwest Trust Center to honor the 2026 Shooting Stars Class with recognition, scholarships, and awards. These incredible students also have an exhibition at the renowned Nerman Museum of Contemporary art, which will be unveiled on April 12, 2026 at the Shooting Stars Gala. We

December 19, 2024 In Artists, Shooting Stars

2024 Johnson County State of the Arts

Art is essential. It strengthens Johnson County at every level—enriching individuals, families, and communities. Creativity serves as a foundation for innovation, prosperity, and vibrant people and places. The arts are ingrained in our civic infrastructure and community identity, intertwined with our economic development, and are an important component of individual and community health and well-being. In Johnson County, the arts are a powerful economic driver. Our local creative economy generates $38.5 million in economic activity every year. This revenue fuels local businesses, creates jobs, enhances the quality of life for our residents, and boosts cultural tourism. Every gallery opening, performance, or

August 19, 2024 In Artists, Shooting Stars

The arts can be a pathway to other fields

“As a Shooting Stars alumnus now working in the arts 27 years later, I can attest to the importance of the Arts Council of Johnson County. I have worked with the Arts Council of JoCo recently as a grant recipient for the Emporia State Social and Emotional Learning Certificate, and I can emphatically say they are actively listening to the arts community and responding to its needs. In addition to supporting a cause with a great mission, this organization values relevance and results in their dedication to meeting the needs of the community, from artists just beginning their journey

May 1, 2024 In Shooting Stars, Uncategorized

2024 Shooting Stars Recapped

Dear Arts Council, Hello! I was one of the 2D Visual Arts nominees for Shooting Stars this year, and I wanted to write you to thank you for the amazing opportunity and honor its been to be a nominee. Its so incredible to have my art in the Nerman Art Museum and its definitely something I’m excited to put on my resume. It was so amazing to get to see art of all kinds beings celebrated in such a big way and I loved being able to see the talent of all the other nominees as well. I was able to

April 10, 2024 In Arts Council, Arts Events, Arts in education, Shooting Stars, Uncategorized

ARTS COUNCIL OF JOHNSON COUNTY ANNOUNCES 2024 SHOOTING STARS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

18 High School Seniors Receive College Scholarships For Excellence in the Literary, Performing and Visual Arts 99 High School Seniors Nominated in Nine Categories OVERLAND PARK, Kans. – April 7, 2024– The Arts Council of Johnson County announced 18 scholarship recipients at the 2024 Shooting Stars Gala on Sunday, April 7 at Johnson County Community College. This 27th annual Shooting Stars Gala honored 99 Johnson County high school seniors for achievement in the literary, performing, and visual arts through recognition and college scholarships. This special recognition program was created in 1997 by former Arts Council of Johnson County chairman Bob Endres. Bob’s vision was to

January 3, 2024 In Art, Shooting Stars

2024 Shooting Stars Finalist

The Arts are important to every community’s quality of life and are an essential part of every student’s educational experience. Arts and creativity teach innovation, critical thinking, collaboration, communication and self-expression. The Shooting Stars Program celebrates Johnson County high school seniors for their excellence in the arts. Shooting Stars has recognized more than 1,000 high school seniors since 1997. Join us for the 2024 Gala on April 7, 2024. During the event we'll announce nine first place scholarships ($1400), nine second place scholarships ($700), and nine teacher honorariums ($300)! Thank you to the foundations, businesses and individuals who make Shooting Stars possible. Get

April 1, 2023 In Art, Arts in education, Shooting Stars

2023 Shooting Stars Scholarship Recipients

Two-Dimensional Art- 1st Place Scholarship Recipient Jade Achen Shawnee Mission East High School Nominated by Adam Finkelston Two-Dimensional Art- 2nd Place Scholarship Recipient Patty Morales Blue Valley North High School Nominated by Tom Holland Three-Dimensional Art- 1st Place Scholarship Recipient Mira Becker Blue Valley West High School Nominated by Nicholas Tomasic Three-Dimensional Art- 2nd Place Scholarship Recipient Audrey Roberts Blue Valley Northwest High School Nominated by Carly Kimbrough Literature- 1st Place Scholarship Recipient Tess Vanberg Blue Valley High School Nominated by Maureen Davis Literature- 2nd Place Scholarship Recipient Sydney Bonnstetter De Soto High School Nominated by Ryan Meara Photography- 1st Place Scholarship Recipient Julia Schnittker Shawnee Mission South High School Nominated by Mark Rice Photography- 2nd Place Scholarship Recipient Sophia Volovoy Blue Valley Northwest High School Nominated by Brian Pollack Production &

December 5, 2022 In Art, Shooting Stars

2023 Shooting Stars Finalists

The Arts make an important contribution to any community’s quality of life and are an essential part of every student’s educational experience, teaching 21st Century workplace skills, innovation, critical thinking, collaboration, communication and self-expression. The Shooting Stars Program celebrates young artists and arts educators for their artistic achievements with college scholarships, awards and honorariums. Since 1997, the Shooting Stars Program has recognized over 1,000 high school seniors for their artistic excellence and contributions to their community. Nine first place scholarships of $1,400 each, nine second place scholarships of $700 each and nine teacher honorariums* of $300 each will be awarded (*to the nominating teacher of

April 4, 2022 In Shooting Stars

2022 Shooting Stars Scholarship Recipients

Lilliana Hughey, 2022 Shooting Stars 2D Visual Arts 1st Place Scholarship Recipient Lilliana Hughey was nominated by Lori Ludwig and attends Olathe East High School. Noah Green, 2022 Shooting Stars 2d Visual Arts 2nd Place Scholarship Recipient Noah Green was nominated by Roger Messersmith and attends Olathe South High School. Maya Flynn, 2022 Shooting Stars 3D Visual Arts 1st Place Scholarship Recipient Maya Flynn, was nominated by Jennifer Hensley and attends Shawnee Mission East High School Kastin Galloway, 2022 Shooting Stars 3D Visual Arts 2nd Place Scholarship Recipient Kastin Galloway was nominated by Brad Reinking and attends Spring Hill High School Rachael Mallozzi, 2022 Shooting Stars Literature 1st