COUNTDOWN TO CONVERGENCE

We've crossed the Rubicon in our task of bringing Spectrum Fantastic Art Live! to Kansas City in just a week-and-a-half's time, and final preparations will be consuming a lot of time leading up to the event.  The increased focus has resulted in a bit of neglect to this site (as far as updates go), so in the hopes of keeping things current until after we've had a chance to recover from next weekend here's a run-down of everything you might already know (or were afraid to ask) about Spectrum Fantastic Art Live!

The Basics

This three-day fantastic art convergence will be held at the Kansas City Convention Center located at 301 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64105.  Over 200 artists will be exhibiting their talents in the convention hall, and career-oriented lectures and programming will be taking place on-site over the weekend.  There are also a few after-hours events taking place in and around the Convention Center over the course of the weekend including an Opening Night party and life-drawing sketch event sponsored by The Art Department.

Times & Registration

The exhibit hall will be open to attendees during the following hours:

Friday, May 18th — 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Saturday, May 19th — 10:00am to 6:30pm

Sunday, May 20th — 10:00am to 4:00pm

In the time leading up to the event, we have been selling quite a number of advance registrations through the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live! website for both $20 single-day and $40 three-day memberships, and will continue to do so up until Monday, May 14th.  Memberships will also be available to purchase on-site beginning on Friday.

Three-day membership holders are also eligible to attend the inaugural Spectrum Awards gala on Saturday, May 19th, at the historic Midland Theater in downtown Kansas City.

Hotels & Travel

Spectrum Fantastic Art Live! has partnered with both the Aladdin and Crowne Plaza hotels to provide accommodations in close proximity to the Convention Center, but we have recently received word that both hotels are fully booked for the event.  Other hotels located downtown, however, may still have rooms available.  We've plotted out the locations of hotels downtown on the map below and have included the Sheraton and Westin hotels which are just a mile away from the Convention Center.

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Those who live in the immediate area or are driving into Kansas City should have no problems navigating the roads thanks to smartphones, GPS, or general knowledge of downtown Kansas City.

Those opting to fly in to Kansas City International (MCI) airport instead will get to experience first-hand some of the particular charms and quirks of the facility.  The rough map below of the airport itself highlights which terminals service each airline, and also provides estimates of transportation options from the airport to the hotels.

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Dining

Barbeque is the foundation of Kansas City's culinary tradition, and has been the case ever since Henry Perry began selling slow-smoked meats on the streets of Kansas City in the early 1900s.  Although this background heavily favors the dietary needs of many a carnivore, the recent redevelopment of the Crossroads and Power & Light Districts near the Convention Center has brought a variety of ethnic and alternative menus to the area.  Below is a map highlighting just a few of the many restaurants located downtown and barely scratches the surface of the variety dining options offered downtown.

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Programming

The majority of educational and career-oriented programming and lectures will take place on Saturday, May 19th.  If you are planning to attend only one day of this event for the programming, then Saturday would be the one to choose.  

Please check out our Facebook page or our Programming page for updates leading up to the event – the descriptions, times, and locations for the programming listed there are subject to change.  A final schedule will be available in the Program Guide at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live!