About
Mission Statement
No Divide KC uses the arts as a vehicle for stimulating social awareness, participation and community building. No Divide KC partners with Kansas City-based artists and organizations to create artistic events that are focused on the stories of underserved and misrepresented communities in Kansas City.
Some of the local organizations we have partnered with include: The Lyric Opera of Kansas City, InterUrban Arthouse, The Kansas City Ballet School, Synergy Services, University of Kansas Medical Center, Care Beyond the Boulevard, Open the Doors Coaching, Charlotte Street Foundation, Don Bosco Centers, Kansas City Center for Inclusion and the Johnson County Library.
No Divide KC Official Diversity Statement
No Divide KC is firmly committed to representing our mission of diversity and equity within our board, the artists we collaborate with, our partnering organizations and audiences. No Divide KC’s programming is intended to foster inclusivity and sensitivity to differences across race, ethnicity, religion, ability, class, gender expression and sexual orientation. We uphold these values of fair access and sensitivity in all aspects of our functioning including:
Casting
Rehearsals
Performances
Narratives and concepts
No Divide KC’s programming is intended to foster an aware and accepting community. We do this by sensitively conceptualizing artistic events that incorporate a vast scope of artists, partnering with organizations that serve these areas and focusing on engaging audience members from the communities we hope to serve.
Who We Are
Stacy Busch
Executive Director/Co-Founder
Stacy Busch (She/Her) is a queer composer and performer who utilizes her voice with electronics to build unique sound worlds. Her work is a meeting point between art pop, avant-classical and singer-songwriter.
Stacy is an award winning musician and Kansas City arts leader who was a 2022 OneBeat Virtual Fellow for Global Music Leaders, a 2020 Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Performing Artist Fellow and has been a finalist for the 2023 Pinnacle Prize. Stacy has been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Mid America Arts Alliance, ArtsKC and many more.
Stacy@nodividekc.org
Lindsay Kinney
Associate Director
Lindsay Kinney (She/Her) is a queer advocate for social justice and basic human needs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has spent most of her professional career in social work. She is passionate about the arts, especially live music, and most of her favorite people are artists. She is a natural connector, builder of community relationships and understands the power of collaboration. Lindsay loves all things outdoors and enjoys spending time amongst the trees hiking or on the water kayaking. She has lived in the Kansas City area for over 35 years and truly loves this city and how beautifully it continues to evolve. She believes in the good of humanity and knows that we are stronger together.
Lindsay@nodividekc.org
Waleska Font
Program Director, Bicultural Poetry Program
Waleska Font (she/her), a Venezuelan poet and multidisciplinary artist, holds a bachelor's degree in Hispanic Language and Literature from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México.
With a focus on immigration, symbolism, and spirituality, she has performed spoken word in various countries and managed projects for UAMéx's Cultural Development department.
Waleska founded the Bilingual Poetry Program in 2022 to continue her life-long commitment to promoting poetry as an important tool in the emotional process for immigrants, immigrant rights, and social justice issues.
Waleska@nodividekc.org
Board of Directors
Tyler Goff
President
Tyler Goff (he/they) is still looking for a way to transpose Banking into Bass Clef, but until then his primary focus is providing financial education and wellness solutions to individuals and organizations. He also connects folks to various community service and business opportunities through his leadership position in PRIDE, an LGBTQI+ employee resource group. A lover of the arts, he can be found tapping his foot in 4/4.
Oscar Trujillo
Secretary
Oscar Trujillo (he/she/they), is an embodiment doula whose practice bridges somatic movement education, bodywork and intuitive energy reading. He facilitates sessions with the expressive arts, trauma support and subtle body healing techniques with individuals, groups and movement organizations. In addition to his work with the body, he is a movement artist and poet. Oscar’s work merges what is practical and human with the spiritual and profound. Additionally, he has previous experience in community healing and social work.
Emily Spradling
Treasurer/Co-founder
Emily Spradling (she/her) is a queer adult education instructor, co-founder of NDKC, a reader, writer, tech enthusiast, and avid consumer of the arts.
Camry Ivory
Board Member
Camry Ivory (she/her) is an artist, musician, inventor, and educational access advocate. Through her live performances and interactive workshops, she seeks to integrate technology and human expression, crafting beautiful, thought provoking experiences that unite and inspire diverse audiences.
Quinn Jackson
Board Member
Quinn Jackson (he/they) is a queer trans physician in Kansas City. He is a strong supporter of the arts and artists' capacity to shape change. He knows that marginalized communities can thrive even in hostile environments and hopes to do this small part in improving the healthcare experience for queer people in the Midwest.
Kailee Karr
Board Member
Kailee Karr (they/he/she) is a comedian and writer who works by day in educational advocacy. They have toured nationwide performing stand-up comedy and co-founded Kansas City's Fountain City Comedy Festival, the city’s largest comedy event, in 2022. Kailee is passionate about using storytelling as a catalyst for social change and is enthusiastic about collaborating with No Divide to create more opportunities for queer artists in Kansas City.
Clarissa Knighten
Board Member
Clarissa Knighten (she/her) is a jewelry sculpturist whose work has been featured in numerous fashion shows and magazines. Since transitioning from the corporate world in 2017, she has achieved remarkable success, with her art displayed in prestigious venues such as the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Museum. In 2023, she was recognized as one of Kansas City's Innovators and Influencers by In Kansas City Magazine. Her artistic journey began in 2007 as an expressive outlet to cope with clinical depression and bulimia. Clarissa's motto is "Someone needs what you have to offer."
Robert Gann
Board Member
Serving as the exhibition juror this year is curator and gallery owner Robert Gann (he/him). Gann is the proprietor and executive curator at Habitat Contemporary Gallery, a commercial art space located in the heart of the KC Crossroads Art district. His gallery is known as an exhibition space for the new cultural vanguard, featuring both emerging and mid-career artists. Gann has held many positions in the arts community including associate director at Studios Inc, purchasing consultant, international art fair affiliate, lead archivist at D2 Research, freelance art journalist, Programs Director at KCAC and Manager of Special Events at KCAI. Gann is also an Honors Graduate from UMKC, in the field of Art History and Museum Studies, he combines his educational and practical experience in redefining the cultural environment of Kansas City.
Brittany Noriega
Board Member
Brittany Noriega (she/her) is a visual artist, writer, and dedicated arts advocate, serving as the Program Manager for the InterUrban ArtHouse in Overland Park, Kansas. Her multifaceted work is deeply rooted in the transformative power of emotion, intention, and the importance of fostering mutual support and connection. Brittany's passion for storytelling extends beyond visual art; her writing frequently accompanies her work, further enriching the emotional narratives she shares. She is dedicated to creating spaces where art and connection intersect, promoting healing, self-expression, and inclusivity within the arts community.