Our History

“At the heart of the Kauffman Center is a living tradition of extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences. Ten years of collective research, planning, and design have brought into focus the mission of the Kauffman Center. This is a building for today and for generations to come.”

– Julia Irene Kauffman

Kauffman Center Grand Opening, September 2011

Building the Kauffman Center

For an in depth look at the construction of the Kauffman Center visit our page about Building the Kauffman Center.

Kauffman Center Timeline

• June 2017

  More than 2.5 million visitors had experienced an event at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Through the Open Doors program, 250,000 school children from 50 districts were able to experience a performance at the Kauffman Center.

• September 2016

  The Kauffman Center commemorated its 5th anniversary with BravoKC, a free event which welcomed 10,000 visitors and served as a thank you to all who helped make Kauffman Center a cultural cornerstone in Kansas City. BravoKC featured live performances from local performers on three stages, interactive activities, birthday cake, and a fireworks display. Since opening, the Kauffman Center had welcomed more than 2 million audience members and guests through its doors.

• May 2015

  More than 1.5 million visitors had experienced an event at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Through the Open Doors program, 150,000 school children from 29 districts were able to experience a performance at the Kauffman Center.

• June 2014

  The Kauffman Center hosted the first annual Future Stages Festival, which welcomed youth and families to the Kauffman Center to experience a fun-filled day of performances and interactive arts activities. Over 6,000 guests, including attendees and more than 600 youth performers, took part in the festival.

• December 2013

  More than one million visitors had experienced an event at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

• May 2013

  All 50 states in the United States were represented by attendees to more than 600 performances at the Kauffman Center.

• September 2012

  By the end of the Kauffman Center’s first year, more than 475,000 people had attended an event at the Center. Through the Open Doors program, 29,000 school children from 27 school districts were able to experience a performance at the Kauffman Center.

• September 2011

  The Kauffman Center celebrates its grand opening. More than 55,000 people attend the community open house.

• 2010

  The city celebrates 1Year2Go with a countdown celebration at the Power & Light District featuring Chaka Khan.

• 2008

  The city of Kansas City approves plans for a $47 million Arts District Garage to be built south of the Kauffman Center.

• October 2006

  A 13-acre property positioned between downtown and the Crossroads Arts District was chosen for its size, potential for becoming a “cultural campus” and the role it would play in revitalizing a downtown section of the city. After several phases of design and fund raising, the board agrees to break ground on October 6, 2006. Ground is broken in a ceremony attended by more than 500 people.

• September 2006

  The project is officially named the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

• 2006

  The board hires Jane Chu as president and chief executive officer.

• 2002

  Architect Moshe Safdie presents his plan to key Kansas City leaders.

• 2000

  Formal planning for the center began when the board began interviewing architects. After narrowing the search down to four internationally renowned architects, Moshe Safdie, was selected, along with his partners for the project theater designer Richard Pilbrow and acoustician Yasu Toyota.

• 1997

  A feasibility study that results in a positive report gives Julia and the rest of the board of directors the information they need to move forward with the visionary project.

• 1994

  Muriel McBrien Kauffman, civic leader and philanthropist, discussed her vision for the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts with her family and the community. After her death, her daughter and chairman of the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, Julia Irene Kauffman, helped make this vision a reality.