Grand Opening of the Grand Kauffman Center in KCMO

Despite gray skies and rain, crowds exceeded expectations as thousands of people lined up to view the impressive center with it’s glass roof and walls overlooking downtown Kansas City.
Grand Opening of the Grand Kauffman Center in KCMO
Cat Rooney
9/29/2011
Updated:
9/29/2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Despite gray skies and rain, crowds exceed expectations as thousands of people lined up to view the grand opening of the $413 million Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Mo., Sept. 18.

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An impressive building with it’s glass roof and walls, it overlooks downtown Kansas City. It is constructed with 40,000 square feet of glass, 10.8 million pounds of structural steel, 25,000 cubic yards of concrete and 1.93 pounds of plaster.

Designed by architect Moshe Safdie with an eye for detail, the building uses shape and curves to give the interior and exterior a magnificent appearance of elegance, grace, and harmony.


“Safdie is committed to architecture that supports and enhances a project’s program; that is informed by the geographic, social, and cultural elements that define a place; and that responds to human needs and aspirations,” according to Safdie Architects.

The project’s program is to “advance the role of arts as a catalyst for the educational, civic, and photo economic vitality of Kansas City.”

Leading the way as the premier center in music, opera, theater and dance for the region, the Kauffman Center has scheduled five world premiere performances the first year. Lily Tomlin, actress and comedienne, and Mavis Staples, Rock N’ Role Hall of Famer, are among the performers to kick-off the first few months.

Two stand-alone performance halls, Muriel Kauffman Theatre and Helzberg Hall, are to host dance performances, plays, musicals, full orchestra symphonies, lectures, recitals, and other performances. The center will be the new home for the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

The incredible acoustics come from world renowned consulting firm, Nagata Acoustics from Japan.

The Kauffman family tradition of supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and arts continues in the Kauffman Center as Julia Irene Kauffman serves as the active chair of the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation.

Kansas City has been graced again by this philanthropic family, which continues to be one of the largest foundations, dedicated to helping youth receive quality education and to encouraging minority entrepreneurship and business development.

The late Ewing Kauffman is best known for his company, Marion Laboratories, his owning of the Kansas City Royals baseball team, and, in general, for his beneficence to the community.

The grand opening celebrations maybe over, but those interested may view this unique building through scheduled small group tours.

 

Cat Rooney is a photographer based in the Midwest. She has been telling stories through digital images as a food, stock, and assignment photojournalist for Epoch Times since 2006. Her experience as a food photographer had a natural expansion into recipe developer in 2012, thus her Twitter handle @RecipeGirl007.
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