Volland Foundation Receives $15,000 Grant from Kansas Arts Commission

A group of people are sitting in a park watching a concert.

 

Actors Brian Huntzinger, Brianna Drinkwater, and Jeremiah Ariaz perform in ‘Writing Wabaunsee County’ on June 28th, 2024 at the Ruin at Volland. Photo by Lily Brooks.

Two logos for kansas arts and volland a place for art and community

Volland is pleased to announce the recent award of $15,895 through the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC). The Volland Foundation is one of 108 recipients throughout Kansas who received a part of $1,295,450 in funding by KAC. KAC awarded four types of grants; Volland received the grant for General Operating Support in 2024.

The grant will help support a part-time fund developer who will be a significant addition to Volland’s team in researching and developing funding sources for the expanding activities of the foundation.

The Community Theatre program at Volland continues to evolve; the beloved Fish Wizards event seeks sustaining support; a Music Series is in the works; building Studio Facilities for the Volland Residency program is becoming urgent; and curating ever more involved Art Exhibits and Installations is certainly in the future (think: Hong Chun Zhang: Hair of the Dragon and the Prairie Dragon made of hay bales!). As programs increase and become more substantive, the need for sustainable, predictable funding becomes critical. This grant enables the foundation to explore the wider field of support necessary for serving the many people positively impacted by its offerings. The KAC grant is pivotal for further developing Volland’s role as a “Place for Art and Community.”

Five figures in flowing dresses on a grassy hill under a bright blue sky.

Photographs from a collaboration between Fall 2023 Volland Resident Michael Shi

Photographs from a collaboration between Fall 2023 Volland Resident Michael Shi and the UMKC Conservatory's Dance Division. Photo by Fall 2023 Volland Resident Michael Shi.

Hay bale crocodile sculpture in a field, under a cloudy sky.

'Prairie Dragon' by Hong Chun Zhang, now on view

Installation view of 'Prairie Dragon' by Hong Chun Zhang, 100ft in length, hay bales, plastic tubing, fabric, 2024. Photo by Patty Reece. Currently on display at Volland.

Two young attendees inspect fish seined from a freshwater stream in Wabaunsee County, KS. The Fifth Annual Fish Wizards on June 1st, 2024

Two young attendees inspect fish seined from a freshwater stream in Wabaunsee County, KS. The Fifth Annual Fish Wizards on June 1st, 2024, featured artist and 2011 Guggenheim Fellow Ray Troll, and singer/songwriter, and 2024 Volland Resident Sally Vee. Fish Wizards is hosted by Dr. Bill Stark (Fort Hays University), Joe Tomelleri (world’s leading freshwater fish illustrator), Mike Kaminski (Clarkson College, Omaha), and Dr. Brian Bohnsack (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, KS Department of Wildlife and Parks, Wichita State University). Photo by Pam Tennison.

Artist Karen McCoy and her husband use a loupe to study lichen at 'Symphony of All Things'

Artist Karen McCoy and her husband use a loupe to study lichen at 'Symphony of All Things', an accompaniment to 'Sarah Hearn: Microbial Multiverse' art exhibition on March 23rd, 2024. A lichen walk through Volland's Nature and Sculpture Trail was led by artist and scientist Sarah Hearn followed by a musical and visual art performance by The Forcefields. Photo by David Dowell.

Yellow lichen as seen through a loupe during 'Symphony of All Things'

Yellow lichen as seen through a loupe during 'Symphony of All Things', an accompaniment to 'Sarah Hearn: Microbial Multiverse' art exhibition on March 23rd, 2024. A lichen walk through Volland's Nature and Sculpture Trail was led by artist and scientist Sarah Hearn followed by a musical and visual art performance by The Forcefields. Photo by Tim Schuler.

Charro Jerry Diaz demonstrating charro rope skills on July 8, 2023

Charro Jerry Diaz demonstrating charro rope skills on July 8, 2023 during Charro Jerry Diaz Family Horse Show and Ensemble Iberica Flamenco Concert. Latin Grammy Award Winning vocalist Mireya Ramos and flamenco dancer Melinda Hedgecorth joined Ensemble Iberica on the stage after the the Charro Jerry Diaz Family Horse Show.

Julia Othmer, one part of The Forcefields, performing during 'Symphony of All Things', an accompaniment to 'Sarah Hearn: Microbial Multiverse' art exhibition on March 23rd, 2024.

A lichen walk through Volland's Nature and Sculpture Trail was led by artist and scientist Sarah Hearn followed by a musical and visual art performance by The Forcefields. Photo by Patty Reece.

2023 Summer Volland Residents

(Clockwise from left) 2023 Volland Residents Alex Robinson, Andy Webster, Volland Operations Director Ryan Jones, and 2023 Summer Volland Resident Lindsey Drager tour Volland upon arrive in a four-wheeler. Entering it's third year, the Volland Residency is a key part of Volland's growth.

Photographs from a collaboration between Fall 2023 Volland Resident Michael Shi

Photographs from a collaboration between Fall 2023 Volland Resident Michael Shi and the UMKC Conservatory's Dance Division. Photo by Fall 2023 Volland Resident Michael Shi.

“This grant could not have come at a better time. The Volland Foundation is currently experiencing great momentum and exciting growth. Creativity is flowing, and ideas are abundant. We are grateful for the support of the Kansas Arts Commission and the State of Kansas, enabling the Volland Foundation to move steadily forward in presenting arts and cultural events that nourish the human spirit, provide enjoyment, and build community. We congratulate the State of Kansas for understanding the value of the arts and offering crucial support to arts organizations throughout Kansas,” says Patty Reece, founder of the Volland Foundation.

The grant was provided through the Kansas Arts Commission. KAC is dedicated to promoting, supporting, and expanding Kansas’ creative industries and enriching communities through arts and culture. Funding for Kansas Arts Commission grants comes from the Kansas Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Volland welcomes 2024 Summer Residents Elliott Stokes (New Orleans, LA), Jasmine Huang (Brooklyn, NY), Jane Marchant (Oakland, CA), and Claire Crews (Dyer, NV) this week and is in deep preparation stages for ‘Slim Hanson & the Poor Choices’ on August 24th, 2024 followed by ‘ Dragon Wind: Chinese Music, Dance and Food at Volland ‘, coming up September 21st, 2024.

Join Kansas in understanding the value of arts and culture organizations throughout our state; become a Friend of Volland today!

People in yellow shirts carry a red dragon in front of a brick building.

 

Example of the dragon dance to be performed at ‘Dragon Wind: Chinese Music, Dance and Food at Volland’ on September 21st, 2024. Photo by Joan Pu. Dragon by Jane Armstrong.