Past Recipients
The Board of the Irish Arts of Kansas is proud to have already had a few well-deserving recipients! The Board meets semi-annually to review grant requests. Those selected are notified directly by mail/email.
Selection criteria include need, opportunity, and location. Irish Arts of Kansas always tries to keep grant funds within the Kansas City metro area, unless there are great extenuating circumstances. The Irish Arts of Kansas offers tuition assistance, as well as underwriting those needing funding to travel for special competitions. Having these individuals get the opportunities to deepen their knowledge of Irish music, dance, and even the Irish culture aids in keeping that same culture alive!
Jack Williamson
Jack was offered an opportunity to study in northern Ireland for a summer with one of the top bagpipers in the world. Assisting him in getting the funding, he has gone on to become one of the top bagpipers in his age group.
My summer in the Island of Ireland was a life-changing experience. I met so many wonderful, generous people and saw some of the most beautiful places in the world. The Irish Arts of Kansas played a big part in helping me get there.
Jack Williamson
Driscoll Dance Camp
In 2013, the Driscoll School of Irish Dance wanted to host a series of dance camps offering intensive sessions for the dancers to learn several new dances, work on technique, and build camaraderie. All the new dances learned were showcased at the Kansas City Irish Fest.
The grant received from the Irish Arts of Kansas was the building block to launch a successful summer camp program for Irish dance in Kansas City. The camp allowed more time for choreography and the kids had a blast!
- Bridgid Driscoll, TCRG - director Driscoll School of Irish Dance
Sunflower Feis
The Sunflower Feis was selected as a recipient because this Irish Dance competition brings hundreds of dancers and their families to the Kansas City area for a new, regional competition. Hosting the first year at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kansas, the feis offers local dancers an chance to compete with other dancers from several states.
Due to the size of the competiton, the Sunflower Feis is now held at the Overland Park Convention Center and the Irish Arts of Kansas supports them to assist in the cost of hosting.
"The Sunflower Feis Committee is so proud to be able to offer the first feis in the state of Kansas! The Irish Arts of Kansas supported our efforts by providing fundraising and financial assistance to fund preparations for the feis. Several of its members also volunteered many hours of their time to plan and manage the event. Simply said, the 2015 Sunflower Feis would not be possible without the support of the Irish Arts of Kansas. Words cannot express my gratitude!"
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> - Brian Thompson
> Sunflower Feis Committee Chairman
Kansas City Irish Cultural Society dba Irish Arts of Kansas irishartsks@gmail.com 3508 W. 92nd Place Leawood, KS 66206 913-220-8211