BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT:
InterUrban ArtHouse of Overland Park
Kansas City
c
by Angi Hejduk
n this time of disparity
between wealth and pover-
ty in our first-tier suburb, the
InterUrban
ArtHouse
protects an oasis of afford-
able, accessible space for
grass-roots
community
authentic, grass-roots culture, econo-
my, quality of life, livability and walk-
ability. By doing so, the ArtHouse
helps give the area a competitive
edge in attracting and maintaining
talent and residents. The ArtHouse
practices creative placemaking:
contributing to neighborhood revital-
culture, by buying and renovating an ization, community engagement and
underutilized industrial building at the creative entrepreneurial incubation.
heart of Historic Downtown Overland
Park.
Since forming in 2012, the ArtHouse
Our five core programs include:
ArtWorks, ArtSmart, ArtMatters,
ArtHeals and ArtsConnect. These
programs engage the community in
celebrating diverse, authentic local
culture that brings vitality, activity and
connection between businesses,
residents, schools, government, orga-
nizations and neighborhoods. We
collaborate with several entities work-
ing to address challenges of chang-
ing ethnic and economic demograph-
ics, with a spectrum of local artists,
providing diverse small business
opportunities and economic variety.
The ArtHouse has two locations locat-
ed directly across the street from one
another. The ArtHouse provides inclu-
sive,
stable,
affordable
and
code-compliant space for: 29 art
studios providing space for over 40
artists, a classroom, exhibition space,
and community café.
The historic Downtown Overland Park
area is under monumental redevelop-
ment with 500+ housing units being
build and 60,000+ sq ft of new retail
store fronts coming soon.
The
ArtHouse’s presence is vital as a com-
munity anchor, highlighting the
has directly served more than
16,094 through 633 events. Our
public art exhibits and performances
give large audience exposure to local
artists in venues including Overland
Park Fall Fest (35,000+ attendees)
and Johnson County Library Exhibits
(504,230 visitors).
We are founded by and staffed
100% by artists.
The ArtHouse
employs 3 full-time staff members and
contracts directly with local artists to
teach classes. We regularly engage
volunteers in community events and
administrative support.
The ArtHouse mission is to enrich the
cultural and economic vibrancy of the
community by creating a place where
artists and creative industries can
work and prosper in an affordable,
sustainable and inclusive environ-
ment.
Our Core Objectives
•
To offer a place where artists
and creative industries can make and
support art in a stable and affordable
environment.
•
To promote and facilitate the
successful entrepreneurism of the
creative industries by sharing resourc-
es, building connections and support-
ing collaborations.
• To support growth and sustainabili-
ty of the arts through education and
professional and artistic develop-
ment.
• To fully integrate arts activities
within the community by creating an
open atmosphere through engage-
ment, inclusivity and diversity.
• To leverage Metro Arts Corridor as
a unique livable location and vibrant
arts region, aligning with regional,
state and national initiatives (such as
Creative Placemaking, KC Regional
Cultural Plan, Suburban Arts Business
Plan).
InterUrban ArtHouse is a designat-
ed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization