Atchison Art Association

Goal: $10,000.00

Specific Need

2027 - Access to the Arts

At the Atchison Art Association, we believe everyone deserves Access to the Arts.

Access to the arts means more than simply opening our doors. It means ensuring every member of our community has the opportunity to experience, create, and engage with art—regardless of age, ability, or financial circumstances.

Our biggest fundraising priority this year is raising $32,000 to construct a permanent accessibility ramp at the Historic Muchnic Gallery. This project will make one of Atchison's most treasured historic homes welcoming and accessible to everyone, allowing more visitors to enjoy exhibitions, educational programs, and community events.

Access also means supporting artists. Through our Artist-in-Residence Program, we provide working artists with studio space, a stipend, and opportunities to connect with the community. In return, our artists help expand arts education throughout Atchison. Our current Artist-in-Residence, Mia Haverkamp, leads our Kids Art Club and many of our youth education programs, inspiring the next generation of artists while continuing her own creative practice.

When you invest in the Atchison Art Association, you're investing in a more vibrant, creative, and inclusive community.

As a special Match Day incentive, any gift of $250 or more automatically includes a Patron of the Arts membership, which comes with:

Discounted pricing on yoga and art education workshops
Personal invitations to opening receptions and events
Free entry into the Community Showcase
Discounts on ticketed events
An annual Art Calendar
Invitations to exclusive members-only events

Our Match Day goal is $10,000, and every gift helps us move closer to making the arts more accessible for everyone in our community.

Thank you for believing in the power of art and for helping us create a more accessible future for Atchison.

Mission

Our Purpose:
To advance and support the arts, arts education, and opportunities for artists in Atchison.

Our Mission:
To provide access to the arts and create opportunities for artistic expression through arts education, community outreach, exhibitions, and support for working artists.

Profile

The Atchison Art Association (AAA) was born from the visionary efforts of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Founded in 1881, the AAUW was a collective of university-educated women dedicated to addressing critical societal issues in education, economics, and public policy. Recognizing the transformative power of art, the local AAUW chapter established the Atchison Art Association in 1966 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. These pioneering women knew that art could be a powerful tool to educate and engage the public on the pressing concerns of modern society.

In 1970, the Muchnic Foundation generously made their historic home available to the community, partnering with the Atchison Art Association to create a gallery space that would preserve and promote the area's rich artistic and cultural heritage. This partnership laid the groundwork for an arts scene in Atchison.

Over the years, the AAA has impacted the community with initiatives like the Riverbend Art Fair, which celebrated 47 years of artistic expression. The S. Helen Buening art education program was instrumental in integrating picture lady art education into Atchison's public schools and then to homeschool students, leaving a lasting legacy. The association hosts 6-12 art exhibits and art-related events each year.

In 2014, the AAA launched "A Vision of Our Culture," a multi-year public art project introducing six public art installations across the community. This initiative beautified Atchison and instilled a sense of pride and cultural awareness, spurring further community development.

The Atchison Art Association reached a significant milestone in 2022 by opening the Atchison Cultural Arts Center in downtown Atchison. What was once a neglected building has been transformed into a vibrant, accessible space for the community. The center now hosts a variety of art and cultural exhibitions, all open to the public free of charge.

The Atchison Art Association believes that a vibrant arts community fosters connection, shared experiences, and a brighter future. The AAA provides exhibit space with 6-8 yearly rotating shows featuring local, regional, and national artists. It also offers art education programs for non-traditional students and art workshops for all ages, collaborates with local schools, and partners with other organizations for outreach programming and events.

The Atchison Art Association is dedicated to driving positive change, harnessing the power of creativity and innovation to reach new audiences within the community. We believe in the profound impact of art, not just as a static object, but as a dynamic force that moves us all.