Laura Spencer
Arts ReporterKansas City is known for its style of jazz, influenced by the blues, as the home of Walt Disney’s first animation studio and the headquarters of Hallmark Cards. As one of KCUR’s arts reporters, I want people here to know a wide range of arts and culture stories from across the metropolitan area.I take listeners behind the scenes and introduce them to emerging artists and organizations, as well as keep up with established institutions.
Send me an email at lauras@kcur.org or follow me on Twitter @lauraspencer.
-
Medicine’s Hall of Fame & Museum in Shawnee, Kansas, is closed, and its thousands of items are up for auction.
-
A new 16-member ownership group wants to stick with what works and expand the independent bookseller's reach.
-
Kansas City, Missouri, has 12 sister cities, including Hannover, Germany. Both cities are UNESCO Cities of Music and share a strong jazz tradition, particularly when it comes to big band orchestras.
-
A Kansas City writer's new book provides something 'tangible to hold on to' after years of isolationAndrew Michael Johnson’s book of poetry and prose, “The Thread,” explores cosmic events and everyday moments.
-
Artist Tom Corbin was chosen for the job by a committee that included members of the Truman family. His statue of the 33rd president, who was from Independence, Missouri, was dedicated this week.
-
A new initiative pairs an artist with conservation efforts to remove the invasive species of bush honeysuckle in Johnson County’s parks.
-
A prolific artist, educator, writer, and community activist, Merrill taught at KCAI for nearly five decades.
-
ARQuesta Del SolSoul takes inspiration from jazz, hip-hop, Afrobeat, spoken word — even science fiction writing.
-
Violinist Jun Iwasaki officially starts as concertmaster for the Kansas City Symphony this month.
-
The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum is slated to open in 2023. It honors the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.