Nelson Atkins' Juneteenth Celebration
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA
6/11/22, 3:00 PM
We put non-AnySchoolers events that line up with our Mission and Values in the AnySchoolers calendar to make it easy for you to find homeschooling events, field trips, enrichment, play and classes as easily as possible! Search for the Categories "Non-AnySchoolers," "Suggested," and "Partners."
We put non-AnySchoolers events that line up with our Mission and Values in the AnySchoolers calendar to make it easy for you to find homeschooling events, field trips, enrichment, play and classes as easily as possible! Search for the Categories "Non-AnySchoolers," "Suggested," and "Partners" in order to find these events in our calendar.
Sixth Annual Juneteenth Celebration | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Event page: https://cart.nelson-atkins.org/32667/32726
All activities and performances are FREE.
Please allow extra time to enter the museum and approach from the north or east. It will be a busy day in midtown.
As part of city-wide observances and in partnership with JuneteenthKC, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art presents the sixth annual Juneteenth Celebration.
Tickets are not required to attend the free event, but please reserve your timed ticket in advance to ensure we do not exceed capacity restrictions.
Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth is an abbreviation of “June nineteenth” and honors the end of enslaving people which was announced by executive order in Texas on June 19, 1865. The history of freedom and equal rights after emancipation is a long and complex one; indeed, that history is still being written today. Juneteenth recognizes this ongoing struggle while celebrating the enduring contributions of African Americans.
PERFORMANCES
Shinique Smith Breathing Room: Evocation
Reserve tickets Here
11-11:40 a.m. │ Atkins Auditorium, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Experience a new performance led by artist Shinique Smith and featuring local performers as they breathe, sing, and create movement while draped in swaths of billowing fabrics and shades of indigo. The audience may participate by breathing with the performers at the beginning and end. From Smith’s Breathing Room series, and created especially for this Juneteenth commemoration, this multidisciplinary piece will intrigue and transform. Q&A following the performance.
The Kansas City Boys & The Kansas City Girls Choirs
Noon–12:30 & 1–1:30 p.m. │ Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Enjoy musical selections directed by Mia Ramsey.
I Want to Testify
Reserve tickets Here
2-3 p.m. │ Atkins Auditorium, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Enjoy the special performance, I Want to Testify, by the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, choreographed by Chief Artistic Officer and Tyrone Aiken. Aiken's work was featured in the recent Nelson-Atkins exhibition Testimony: African American Artists Collective.
Kansas City 2Step Showcase
Watch dancers from The Big StepOff along with steppers from the Kansas City 2Steppin' Community, led by the Queen of Kansas City 2Step, De Barker, with music by DJ Joe Straws.
3-3:30 p.m. │ Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Open Dancing: DJ Joe Straws
3:30-4 p.m. │ Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
DINING
11 a.m.-2 p.m. │ Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Purchase house-smoked BBQ and freshly made lemonade by Chef Marcus Locke of American Dining Creations and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Nikki G's Soul Q Bistro
11 a.m.-2 p.m. │ Plaza Level, North Plaza Drive
Visit the BBQ Bistro food truck specializing in different kinds of smoked meat.
ALL ACTIVITIES
10 a.m.-4 p.m., unless noted
Gallery Activity
Learn about the cultural and historical significance of the painting Goodnight Irene by Charles White and more.
Drawing Demonstration
Noon-2 p.m. │ Gallery 220 & 219, Level 2, Nelson-Atkins Building
Artist and educator Anthony High reproduces one of Charles White’s images and discusses his process.
Paper Quilt Squares
Classroom 4-5, Lobby Level-Nelson-Atkins Building
Create a North Star paper quilt square.
Juneteenth Bookmarks
1-4 p.m. │ Spencer Art Reference Library, Level 2, Bloch Building
Add your individual touch to a special Juneteenth bookmark.
Visit the Educator Resource Center
Bloch Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Explore books and other resources highlighting African American artists.
Juneteenth Celebration North Star Quilt
Bloch Lobby
Snap a photo in front of the quilt!
LEARN MORE
Hey kids! To have some fun and explore the galleries, head to our digital activity guides.
Introducing our podcast series, A Frame of Mind, where we take a hard look at race in America through the lens of one art museum. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
Uncover the stories about works of art in the Nelson-Atkins collection. Take an audio or American Sign Language tour on the Smartify app, explore how visual artists and musicians inspire each other, and get lost in a podcast on all the ways to see variations of love in works of art.
THANK YOU
The Juneteenth Celebration and other family programs are made possible through the generosity of donors and members. Thank you for your support!
Thank you to our sponsors:
African American Artists Collective
John and Sharon Hoffman