Swept with dancing short and tall grasses, wheat, wildflowers and other flora, the vast prairielands of Kansas are their own artful canvas. Not to forget helianthus, of course, the wild native sunflower designated as the state’s floral emblem.
Centered in the state’s northwestern corner, the sunflower industry even has its own artistic billboard: the 24-foot-by-32-foot, newly restored reproduction of Vincent Van Gogh’s famed Three Sunflowers in a Vase, perched on an 80-foot easel in the city of Goodland.
Art also makes a big statement in the mural-adorned halls of the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, in the enduring legacy of Kansas City-born jazz legend Charlie “Bird” Parker, and the myriad forms of theater and other performing arts across the state. Also in Topeka, art has the power to restore neighborhoods via the continuing success of NOTO, or the North Topeka Arts District.
Whether exploring the universe at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center or descending 650 feet below the prairie at the Kansas Underground Salt Museum (both in Hutchinson), curated experiences run the gamut.
There’s no place like Kansas for artistic celebrations of people, life and the land, with the following options reflecting the state’s bright cultural appeal.
TOPEKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, TOPEKA
www.tpactix.org
Opened in 1940, the massive Municipal Auditorium was Topeka’s entertainment center for nearly half a century. From basketball to Count Basie, the 4,200-seat facility saw it all before closing in the late 1980s.
Wind forward to 1991, and following a $6.25 million renovation, the Art Deco treasure reopened as the Topeka Performing Arts Center (TPAC). Boasting outstanding acoustics and excellent sightlines, the state-of-the-art venue, like its predecessor, is a “capital” choice for groups.
“For 21 years, TPAC has hosted banquets, graduations, wedding receptions, fundraisers and conferences in its more than 15,000 square feet of rentable spaces,” says Barbara Wiggins, the center’s executive director. “Far more than a performance hall that brings diverse entertainment to the heart of downtown Topeka, TPAC is truly a multipurpose facility.”
Rental spaces include the 2,500-seat main performance hall, the grand lobby and several prefunction and gathering spaces. PageBreak
ORPHEUM THEATRE, WICHITA
www.wichitaorpheum.com
When it opened in 1922, this downtown treasure, “dedicated to the people of Wichita,” promised to “provide the best in art, music and wholesome entertainment.” Today, this authentically restored National Historic Landmark, now in its 90th year, still delivers premium entertainment in film, music, comedy and dance.
Boasting near-perfect acoustics, the 1,280-seat theater is fully available for rental. With event advertising available via the Orpheum’s website and electronic marquee, planners also have the support of front-of-house staff.
Guided group tours reveal the Orpheum’s rich architecture and legacy.
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CENTER AND HALL OF FAME, BONNER SPRINGS
www.aghalloffame.com
In the 1950s, agribusiness leaders in Kansas City and throughout the country began planning for an institution dedicated to America’s agriculture and rural heritage. Their vision became a reality in 1960, when Congress issued a rare federal charter, signed by Kansas-born President Dwight Eisenhower, creating the museum popularly known as the Ag Center.
Built in the early 1960s, this multifaceted complex just west of Kansas City offers a harvest of activities and rental spaces for groups from early spring to late November.
In Farm Town, U.S.A., a recreated rural village, the Smith Event Barn and 750-seat pavilion are ideal for family or corporate events, with space for outdoor gatherings. The Museum of Farming houses an impressive collection of antique farm machinery, while the Hall of Fame celebrates pioneers such as Eli Whitney and John Deere.
The 200-seat Rural Electric Conference Theater is well suited for meetings and seminars.
SALINA ART CENTER, SALINA
www.salinaartcenter.org
Founded in 1978 as a center for art education and appreciation, Salina Art Center (SAC) is an engaging venue with three unique facilities for visitors and groups.
Located in the heart of downtown Salina, The Galleries house three flexible exhibition spaces, including a large multipurpose area and classroom. ARTery is a free, hands-on art lab for children and their families.
One block away, the Cinema features a 90-seat theater with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and a concession area in the main lobby, while the nearby Warehouse offers 6,000 square feet of space.
Free gallery tours of SAC exhibitions, led by trained docent educators, are available for groups of five or more. PageBreak
NEW THEATRE RESTAURANT, OVERLAND PARK
www.newtheatre.com
Established in 1992, this winning venue continues to wow patrons with a dinner theater program praised as the “best in the country” by the Wall Street Journal. Combining gourmet dining with locally produced Broadway-quality musicals and comedies, the experience lives up to its billing as “Kansas City’s star attraction.”
With the seasonal menu delivering on its five-star promise, the stage talent is also first-rate. Among the celebrity performers appearing in the 2012-2013 season: Marion Ross (Happy Days), Mike Farrell (M*A*S*H) and Barbara Eden (I Dream of Jeannie).
“Offering delicious cuisine, legendary performers, comfortable meeting spaces and ample adjacent parking, New Theatre Restaurant provides one convenient location for all your group needs,” says Rob McGraw, vice president of sales & marketing.
Accommodating up to 620 guests in its Las Vegas-style showroom, the venue offers two versatile event spaces. Located in the theater’s upper level, the Marquee Room, with high-speed Internet, can host up to 100 people for cocktails or 80 people for a seated event. Just off the lobby foyer, the Regency Room accommodates 75 people for cocktails or 60 people for a seated event.
FLINT HILLS DISCOVERY CENTER, MANHATTAN
www.flinthillsdiscovery.org
Spanning 22 counties in east-central Kansas, the endlessly rolling Flint Hills region represents the nation’s last great expanse of tallgrass prairie. Located in the heart of downtown Manhattan, the Flint Hills Discovery Center, which opened in April 2012, celebrates this singular—and endangered—ecosystem.
Anticipating LEED Gold certification, the striking three-story facility features a curvilinear green roof and 65-foot tall, glass-enclosed circular lobby, offering sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and surrounding landscape.
Filled with interactive exhibits, the 35,000-square-foot Center has quickly become an event magnet, impressively hosting more than 100 gatherings since opening.
“We are a great place for groups to meet because we serve to introduce this part of Kansas to our visitors, and help them better understand the unique science and history of the tallgrass ecosystem,” says Bob Workman, the center’s director.
In addition to the lobby, galleries and meeting rooms, planners can utilize the third-floor terraces and nearby Blue Earth Plaza for outdoor events.
Regular Meetings Focus MidAmerica contributor Jeff Heilman is looking forward to the new Oz the Great and Powerful movie coming in March—and the spotlight it will cast on Kansas.
