Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Wasson.
Hi Courtney, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story is deeply connected to Kansas City and the people who make this community what it is. Much of my path has been shaped by relationships, unexpected opportunities, and a growing understanding of how important it is to create spaces where people feel welcomed and connected.
I did not necessarily begin with a perfectly mapped-out plan. My journey has developed over time as I followed the work that felt meaningful to me. That eventually led me into arts leadership and to the Kansas City Artists Coalition, where I have had the opportunity to support artists, build community partnerships, and help shape the future of an organization with a long history in Kansas City.
What keeps me invested in this work is the belief that art is not separate from community life. It can create conversation, strengthen relationships, and give people a place to see themselves and one another differently.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges in my journey has been learning how to build meaningful work within real limitations. In the nonprofit arts world, there is rarely an abundance of time, money, staff, or other resources. You learn to be creative not only in the programs you develop, but also in how you solve problems and keep moving forward.
Another challenge has been recognizing that leadership is not about having every answer. It often means making thoughtful decisions with incomplete information, navigating change, and balancing the needs of artists, staff, board members, donors, partners, and the wider community.
There have also been times when I have had to trust my own judgment, advocate for an idea, or help an organization move beyond a familiar way of doing things. Those experiences have taught me that growth can be uncomfortable, but discomfort does not necessarily mean you are moving in the wrong direction.
The challenges have made me more adaptable and more confident in my ability to find a way forward without losing sight of the people at the center of the work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is centered on supporting artists and building stronger connections between art and the Kansas City community. At KCAC, that can take many forms: exhibitions, artist opportunities, publications, public programs, partnerships, professional development, and long-term planning for the organization’s future.
A large part of my role involves connecting ideas to practical action. I may be thinking about an artist’s experience, a community partnership, organizational sustainability, an event, a budget, or how a program communicates our mission. Those pieces may look very different, but they are all connected by the larger goal of creating meaningful opportunities for artists and making the arts more accessible to the public.
I am especially proud of work that creates room for other people. That might mean helping an artist reach a new audience, developing a partnership that brings artwork into an unexpected setting, preserving Kansas City’s arts history through FORUM magazine, or planning for a future arts center that can serve artists and the community on a much larger scale.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Kansas City is the first place that truly felt like home to me. I found such meaningful support here through the artists, creative community, and people who welcomed me in. That sense of connection gave me the space to grow, both personally and professionally, and helped me understand how powerful community can be.
Because of that experience, I have become especially aware of the importance of creating places where people feel seen, supported, and included. The encouragement I received in Kansas City has shaped the way I approach my own work and the kind of environment I hope to help build for others.
Pricing:
- Annual Student Membership $35
- Annual Individual Membership $59
- Annual Amplified Membership $100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kansascityartistscoalition.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcartistscoalition/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcartistscoalition
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kansas-city-artists-coalition/
- Twitter: https://x.com/kansascityarts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT2RaudUe3ObK2AY9QgKynA
