Kansas City, Missouri is a UNESCO City of Music and a member of UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
In November 2017, the City of Kansas City, Missouri, became a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities
Network (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and was designated the first and only Creative City of Music in the U.S. On November 6, 2017, Ms. Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), informed the City of Kansas City, Missouri that the City’s application to be recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Music was accepted.
As the City’s history museum, the Kansas City Museum has been a key program partner to the City and Creative City KC since the designation in 2017. Music plays a prominent role in Kansas City’s history and cultural heritage, and the Kansas City Museum has been designed to offer performances and concerts featuring Kansas City-based musicians and performing artists. Over the past several years, Kansas City Museum staff have participated in conversations and initiatives with UNESCO Creative Cities internationally. Programs, meetings, and recordings have taken place at the Museum to advance and promote Kansas City as a City of Music.
In addition, UMKC’s Center for Neighborhoods and UNESCO Creative City KC are the primary partners for developing the exhibit concept and content for A Cultural & Community Restoration gallery on the third floor of Corinthian Hall. Cultural institutions and museums are important partners for UNESCO Creative Cities, and the Kansas City Museum is proud to be involved in supporting Kansas City as a City of Music and encourages more museums to get involved.
Click here to view the four-year report of the programs and initiatives UNESCO Creative City KC has produced from 2017-2021.