Studio artists Michael Baxley and Brock DeBoer have created 100 pieces of art at the Belger Crane Yard Studios in downtown Kansas City to make pre-show dining at the Kauffman Center especially memorable.
When the Kauffman Center decided to develop its new Dining Experience, great food by French Chef Philippe LeChevin and Bonterra Catering was just the starting point. “We wanted to make our Dining Experience both delectable and memorable,” said Paul Schofer, President and CEO. So the Center turned to Icon Architects to design the signature Marquee box and commissioned two ceramic artists, Michael Baxley and Brock DeBoer, to create it.
The two studio artist handmade each of the more than 100 Marquee boxes. “These ceramic dishes have the distinctive silhouette of the Kauffman Center and have been hand-formed so you’ll see slight differences in each piece,” says Brock DeBoer. 
Open since early January, the Dining Experience is receiving favorable reviews for food, elegance and convenience. “The Marquee box concept adds dramatic flair as food is delivered to diners, something that seems entirely appropriate before the excitement on stage begins,” says Schofer.
Belger Crane Yard Studios is the home to a large contemporary arts gallery, Red Star Studios, Crane Yard Clay, The Lawrence Lithography Workshop, Metal Sculptor Asheer Akram, and Random Lab (Studio of Paul Donnelly, Rain Harris, and Meredith Host).
Tan Nguyen, CEO and Founder of NuWin Enterprises
NuWin Enterprises
Kauffman Center Ensemble
Founding Member 2014
Tan Nguyen, founder of NuWin Enterprises, speaks as enthusiastically about his four-year-old software company as he does about the arts.
Insider Question:
How did you first get connected to the Kauffman Center?
Tan:
I was fortunate to attend a Kansas City Symphony concert with a friend a few years ago and loved it. We talked extensively about the value of the arts in the community, especially in regards to children. That discussion was the catalyst for getting more involved with the Kauffman Center.
IQ:
Did you attend performances as a kid?
Tan:
My mother, sisters and I are refugees of the Vietnam War. We grew up very poor in Pennsylvania. There were very few escapes for me until I found the arts. Through organizations like the Boys Club of America and the generosity of the Milton Hershey School, I was exposed to the arts. Through music and theatre productions, I was inspired to be more and aspired to do so.
IQ:
Your company is very young, yet you’ve already established a foundation to help others. What is your goal with your foundation?
Tan:
We wanted to find ways to reach kids in need from various socio-economic backgrounds. The NuWin Foundation is a way to honor the Milton Hershey’s tradition of providing both “inspiration and aspiration.”
IQ:
Plus you’ve stepped forward to be chairman of Ensemble, the Kauffman Center’s business membership program. Why would you take on that responsibility?
Tan:
Ensemble is leveraging the influence of our local leaders to become champions and advocate the benefits of the Kauffman Center to the entire community. Everything is connected. The more people we get into the Kauffman Center, the more we get folks to step forward to become involved in any way that works for their own passion. The more funds will filter to programs like Open Doors to get kids to concerts.
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Read more member profiles and learn about the benefits of Ensemble membership here.
On March 1st, nearly 600 donors enjoyed the world premiere of Kingdom Come: The Making of Casavant Opus 3875. This fascinating documentary goes behind the scenes to chronicle the design, manufacture and unveiling of the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ, Opus 3875. You can watch the film when it is featured on KCPT on Monday, March 16th at 9:00 pm.
Produced and directed by the Kauffman Foundation, the project was presented as a gift to Julia Irene Kauffman, the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, the Kauffman Center staff and the Kansas City artistic community, on behalf of the associates and board of trustees of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
The film traces the complex task to create a powerful custom-built pipe organ, known as “The King of Instruments,” for a modern concert hall. It records the artistry and craftwork of the men and women at the Casavant Frères workshop in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. The story follows truckloads of handmade parts arriving in Kansas City and documents the elaborate process to assemble the massive five-story support structure, delicate instrumentation and precise individual voicing of each of the organ’s 5,548 pipes.
In addition to showing the making of the organ, the film tells the story by featuring interviews with key people in Canada and Kansas City. With the instrument in place, the film records history in the making as world-renowned organist James David Christie takes the stage at Helzberg Hall to play the organ for the first time.
Ultimately, the film tells the story of a city’s commitment to the arts and the imagination, invention and careful human touch that inspires a creative legacy for musical artists and audiences to admire for generations to come.
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Josh Turner
Friday, May 22nd | 7:30 PM
Muriel Kauffman Theatre
One of country music’s most recognizable hit-makers, Josh Turner, will perform on Friday, May 22nd at 7:30 p.m. in Muriel Kauffman Theatre. Josh Turner is a double-platinum-selling singer, songwriter and disciple of traditional country music. Tickets range from $39 to $79.
ABOUT JOSH TURNER
Multi-platinum MCA Nashville recording artist Josh Turner, is one of country music’s most recognizable hit-makers. With a rich, deep voice and distinctive style, Turner has sold more than 12 million recordings, is a disciple of traditional country music and is one of the youngest members of the Grand Ole Opry. From his 2003 Platinum-selling debut Long Black Train to his most recent 2012 Billboard No. 1 release Punching Bag, Turner has garnered multiple GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM nominations. Turner’s hits include “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” “Firecracker,” “Would You Go with Me,” “All Over Me” and “Time Is Love,” the most played country song of 2012.
Turner recently added author to his list of accomplishments. His first book, Man Stuff: Thoughts on Faith, Family and Fatherhood was released April 29, 2014. The Hannah, S.C. native has been songwriting and performing since he was a young child, and in support of music education, created The Josh Turner Scholarship Fund to assist students interested in pursuing a future in arts and music. As a high school student, Turner had very little access to music education, therefore realizes first-hand the importance of arts education in schools.
Turner released his fifth studio album, Punching Bag on June 12, 2012 which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. The debut single, “Time is Love” was #1 on the Best of 2012 Billboard Country Chart. The Associated Press says, “With Punching Bag, Turner once again proves he ranks among the most effective — and most hard-core country — performers of his generation.”
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Future Stages Festival is open to the public on Sunday, June 28th from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. All ages are welcome. No tickets are required.
Celebrating diversity in the arts, Future Stages Festival showcases youth in the performing arts. You’re invited to attend the FREE community event which will include family-friendly interactive activities and a diverse range of arts experiences for the whole family.
Future Stages Festival will be held at the Kauffman Center on Sunday, June 28, 2015 from 11:00 am–4:00 pm. 
The one-day festival, an extension of the Kauffman Center’s Open Doors Spotlight on Youth program, will also provide opportunities for youth and community arts organizations to perform on stage at Kauffman Center.
Future Stages Festival is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to register for free online below or by phone at 816.994.7222 to receive the latest event updates and schedule for performances and activities. All ages are welcome and programming is suggested as most suitable for families with youth ages 4-15.
Nominations are now closed for community arts organizations and school groups to perform at Future Stages Festival. Thank you for your responses! Programming decisions and announcements will be updated as the event draws near.
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