KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

A cornerstone of KC's cultural renaissance, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts opened in fall 2011 to national acclaim. (Low-Res)

DESCRIPTION: With an architectural design as unique and harmonious as its wide spectrum of performances, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a jewel of Kansas City. Featuring the technologically advanced Muriel Kauffman Theatre and Helzberg Hall, this 285,000-square-foot glass and stainless steel work of art is praised by both attendees and world-renowned performers and artists as the pinnacle of performing arts centers.

ADDRESS: 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo. 64108

LOCATION: Downtown Kansas City steps away from the Convention Center.

PHONE: 816-994-7200

WEB SITE: www.kauffmancenter.org

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook-Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Twitter-@KauffmanCenter, Instagram-kauffmancenter

HOURS: Performance time and dates vary. Please see website for more information.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Muriel Kauffman Theatre is a spacious 1,800-seat vineyard-style venue that hosts entertainers and performers from around the world. Designed and constructed with the finest acoustic amplifying material, this theatre ensures maximum enjoyment to all attending.
• Helzberg Hall seats 1,600 while its stage is constructed with a specially cured Alaskan cedar for sound vibration transmission. This hall also features the exquisite 960-pound, 5,548-piped, Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ, Opus 3875.
• The Kauffman Center is the performance home of three of Kansas City’s premier performing arts organizations: Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Kansas City Symphony. Each organization hosts multiple performances per year.

BOX OFFICE HOURS: Please visit kauffmancenter.org/visit for box office hours.

ADMISSION: Public tours for individuals and small groups are $5 per person, reservations required. Private group tours and individual event ticket pricing may vary. Email tours@kauffmancenter.org for more information.

HISTORY: Though its doors only officially opened in late 2011, the creation of the Kauffman Center was more than a decade in the works. The idea of a performing arts center in Kansas City was first discussed by the late Muriel McBrien Kauffman as early as 1994. One year later, daughter and Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation Chairman, Julia Irene Kauffman, began exploring the project. Five years later in 2000, after carefully choosing a location in the heart of downtown Kansas City, renowned architect Moshe Safdie was selected to design the facility. Five years after the center’s breaking of ground in 2006, Kauffman Center celebrated its grand opening in September 2011.

WHERE TO GET LUNCH: Visitors will find numerous restaurants and dining experiences to suit any budget within the vibrant districts of Kansas City. Eat at Michael Smith, Lidia's, Corvino, Lulu's Thai Shop. The Kauffman Center now offers pre-performance dining at the venue. https://www.kauffmancenter.org/the-center/dining/

WHAT’S NEARBY: Located just south of the Kauffman Center lawn, the Crossroads Arts District is an artistic downtown neighborhood where once-vacant warehouses now house a variety of eclectic, locally-owned boutiques, unique restaurants and a thriving arts scene.

DID YOU KNOW: Moshe Safdie drew his first sketch of the Kauffman Center on a napkin while meeting with Julia Irene Kauffman at The American Restaurant in 2000.

DON’T FORGET: Experience the visual spectacles displayed in the Art District Garage, featuring Terpsichore for Kansas City, a public art project through KC’s One Percent for Art Program. As visitors approach the center piece of the artwork—a four-story “light organ” situated in the central stair tower of the garage—they’ll see that the lights moving up and down inside the seven acrylic tubes is choreographed to music.

PUBLIC ACCESS HOURS: The Kauffman Center maintains public access hours on most Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during which visitors may explore Brandmeyer Great Hall, Helzberg Hall and Muriel Kauffman Theatre with guidance from a volunteer greeter. Private group tours are also available. Learn more here. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Take the Kansas City Streetcar to the Kauffman Center stop (16^th & Main).

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

From the north: Take I-35 North, exit on West Pennway. Head east one block to Washington. Continue north to 17^th Street and then east to the Kauffman Center.

From the south: Take I-35 South, exit on 20^th Street. Head east to Broadway then north to the Kauffman Center.

From the east: Take I-670 East to I-35 South, exit on 20^th Street. Head east to Broadway then north to the Kauffman Center.

From the west: Take 1-70 West, exit on 13^th Street or Locust/Truman Road. Continue west to Baltimore. Continue south to 17^th Street and then west to the Kauffman Center.

PARKING: An experience at the Kauffman Center begins the moment you arrive, with a convenient, well-lit parking garage, owned and operated by the City of Kansas City, Missouri. The garage is directly attached to the Kauffman Center just south of the building with multiple access points to surrounding streets. Entrances are located on 17th St and Wyandotte St.

Parking for events is available for $13 in advance or $16 upon arrival. Please note that credit and debit cards are accepted at the garage, but cash is not accepted. Valet parking is also available for $22 in advance or $24 upon arrival for most events. Pre-purchasing parking guarantees a reserved spot in the garage, even if the garage sells out.

PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Karen Badgett, Director of Marketing, 816-994-7229 or kbadgett@kauffmancenter.org.