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 Rodríguez
Program Director
Waleska Rodriguez (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
Elise Gagliardi
Gallerist & Curator
Elise Gagliardi (She/her) is a photographer, and performance artist based out of Kansas City, Missouri, pursuing her MFA through the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She received her BFA from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her work has been published in various art publications, such as Camera Works. She has exhibited her work nationally, including group and solo shows. A few places her work has been displayed at the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, Rockhursts, Greenlease Gallery, Center for Fine Art Photography in Colorado, and the Denver International Airport. She has worked as a gallerist and curator for the last 7 years. She is the current director of the gallery In Other News, located in the west bottoms.
gallery@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.