Building Interdisciplinary Stories with the Integrated Arts Research Initiative at the Spencer Museum of Art

Each academic year, the Arts Research Integration (ARI) at the Spencer Museum of Art organizes an inquiry that encompasses a large spectrum of practitioners across the arts, sciences, and humanities.

Connecting our Community to its Past through Digital Resources

In 2022, the Watkins Museum decided to expand its permanent exhibit on Indigenous peoples in Douglas County beyond two exhibit panels.  Will Haynes, the museum’s director of engagement and learning, began by forming an advisory group and reached out to representatives of the Kaw Nation, Delaware Tribe, Shawnee Tribe, Osage Nation, and Wyandot Nation.

Heartland Makers Collective: Digitizing the Wak’o Mujeres Phu Nu Womxn Mural Project: Stories of Kansas Women of Color

The Wak'o Mujeres Phu Nu Womxn Mural Project: Stories of Kansas Women of Color, nearly eight feet tall and half a city block in length, is a project for women of color, by women of color, to empower women of color. The mural was based on over twenty oral histories conducted by the Women of Color Makers Collective. These oral histories will now be transcribed, digitized, and shared with the public in the form of podcasts and an online digital…

Kansas City’s Culturally Diverse Communities and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Oral Histories

This project will result in 25 oral history interviews documenting the historical lived experiences and perceptions of the museum among multiple Kansas City communities. This work is especially relevant and timely as the museum begins to think about how it will celebrate its centennial in 2033, a time that will bring greater focus on and interest in the institution’s history.

Negro League Video Shorts

Storytelling has long played an important role in filling the void of Black history which is often excluded from the pages of American History books. With funding from The Andrew W.  Mellon foundation, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) will create biographical video segments on legendary Negro League players, teams, and key moments in Black Baseball history.

Tell Me a Story

We are a museum dedicated to educating people about and preserving the heritage of the American Indian for future generations. As part of our mission, we have created our TELL ME A STORY studio. In Native culture, stories are told to educate children about cultural morals and values. When someone ceases to tell a story, part of the cultural knowledge is gone.

Trading Fours: An Oral Exchange on Jazz Musical Influence and Biography

The American Jazz Museum’s permanent exhibition features four prominent icons, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker. Each of these icons center jazz as an American experience born of creativity, innovation, and black culture.