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Category Archives: Gordon Parks Museum
Gordon Parks Celebration Is Oct. 3-5
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| Gordon Parks Museum invites you to take part in the 21st Annual Celebration
This weekend ~ October 3rd-5th! |
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| The Celebration kicks off with the Chamber Coffee hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum, Thursday, October 3rd, 8am ~ everyone welcome!
The 21st Annual event will include photo exhibits, poetry contest/exhibit, sign and mural display, films, a special Gordon Parks themed trolley tour & more! Friday will feature the Celebration Dance Party with “Full Flava Kings”, see below for more details. Saturday will feature the Celebration Tribute Dinner with the presentation of the Choice of Weapons Awards along with the presentation of the Learning Tree Award to Arnold Schofield and the late Daryl Roller. The Choice of Weapons Conversation, Premier Screening of the documentary I Needed Paris and the free Lunch and Learn events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at the Gordon Parks Museum, online at gordonparkcenter.org, or call 620-223-2700 ext. 5850 Click here for the Gordon Parks Museum website and a list of detailed events. |
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| Click here to download a printable copy of the schedule of events linked below. |
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A highlight this year is the “Celebration Dance Party” featuring The Full Flava Kings at the Liberty Theatre. The Full Flava Kings from Tulsa, Oklahoma are one of the best party bands in the region. |
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| A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members! |
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The 21st Annual Gordon Parks Celebration Schedule of Events
Fort Scott, Kan. September. 27, 2024 – Kokayi Ampah, Art Evans and Fred Watkins will be the recipients of the “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” at the annual celebration on October 3rd -5th, 2024 in Fort Scott, Kansas. The celebration is in honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and filmmaker.
The Choice of Weapons Award was established in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the celebration.
This year’s celebration will feature several events to include presentations, special events, tours, music performance, barbeque and a celebration tribute dinner. The schedule of events is available at the Gordon Parks Museum or online at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/2024-celebration-schedule and the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fsccGPmuseum/.
This event is for everyone and open to the public. Please reserve tickets early by Wed, Oct 2, 2024 for all the reserved events. The 21st Annual Gordon Parks Celebration this year will have a wide range of great events and activities for all to enjoy. The Celebration kicks off on Thursday, Oct 3 with a chamber coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum and ends with a Tribute Celebration Dinner at The River Room in Fort Scott, Kansas on Saturday, Oct 5, 2024.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the museum by phone at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or by email at gordonparkscenter@fortscott.edu..
I Needed Paris will make its premier screening on Friday, October 4, Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.
Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College, Host Screening of Tall Grass Film Festival- Selected Documentary, I Needed Paris
Fort Scott, Kan. September. 27, 2024 – The documentary I Needed Paris will make its premier screening on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 11:00am to 12:00pm at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. This film is an official selection for the 2024 TallGrass Film Festival in Wichita, Kansas. The screening is free admission and open to the community to the attend. This screening is part of the 21st Annual Gordon Parks Celebration.
We are very fortunate to have this film make its debut here in Fort Scott.
“We are very fortunate and excited to host this film and having the film’s premiere debut here in Fort Scott.,” said Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director, Kirk Sharp. “This is a great opportunity for our everyone community to have a chance to see this film that has been officially selected for the 2024 TallGrass Film Festival for free. We encourage everyone in the community to attend.”
This film follows the journey of a small group of photography students from the Gordon Parks Academy in Wichita, KS, through Paris, France, in late May 2024, traversing the same streets and neighborhoods as Gordon Parks when he worked in the Paris bureau of Life magazine in the early 1950s. These students along with other photographers will take a deep dive into Gordon’s world of fashions, portraits, street photography, music and poetry. They will also incorporate some fashion images using the same type of camera Gordon used – twin lens reflex film cameras. The screening is free and open to the community to attend.
Produced and directed by Michael Cheers. Associate Professor, Photojournalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, San Jose State University. Cinematographer/Editor, B. Kameron Lawson.
For more information about the film or the Gordon Parks Celebration visit us at
https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/2024-celebration-schedule or the museum by email at gordonparkscenter@fortscott.edu or by phone at 223-2700, ext. 5850.
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Gordon Parks Learning Tree Award: Schofield and Roller
Gordon Parks “Choice of Weapons” Award Recipients
Gordon Parks Museum receives Kansas Arts Commission General Operating Support Grant
Fort Scott, Kan. Aug. 16, 2024 – The Gordon Parks Museum is one of the recipients to receive grant funds from the Kansas Arts Commission for General Operating Support. The museum’s grant award amount is $16,000. Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced $1,295,450 has been awarded to 108 recipients in the latest round of Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) grant funding. The funds will support museums, arts education, music, dance, visual arts, professional and community theater, creative writing, murals, poetry and other creative projects.
We are very grateful and excited to be part of this Kansas Arts Commission grant.” said Kirk Sharp, museum, executive director. “This grant award will significantly help and support our museum’s operating expenses for the upcoming year.”
Funding for Kansas Arts Commission grants comes from the Kansas Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information, contact the museum by phone at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or by email at gordonparkscenter@fortscott.edu..
Kansas Arts Commission Funds Creative Projects Across State: Two Fort Scott Recipients
Editor’s note: the following from Fort Scott have been awarded:
| Gordon Parks Museum Foundation | Bourbon | $16,000 | General Operating Support |
| Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Inc. | Bourbon | $6,800 | Visiting Artists |
TOPEKA — Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $1,295,450 has been awarded to 108 recipients in the latest round of Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) grant funding. The funds will support museums, arts education, music, dance, visual arts, professional and community theater, creative writing, murals, poetry and other creative projects.
Grants were awarded in 42 counties, with funding going to counties in rural locations such as Graham, Sheridan and Chase, as well as urban areas including Johnson, Sedgwick and Shawnee counties.
“It is important for the state to engage, connect and support the abundant creativity that can be found throughout Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The Kelly-Toland Administration knows strategic investments in the arts enrich our communities, strengthen our economy, and enhance our quality of life — all which make our state the best in the nation to live, work and play.”
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported in 2022 that arts and cultural production accounted for 2.2% of the Kansas economy (as a share of state GDP), contributing more than 41,000 jobs.
KAC awarded four types of grants:
- The Arts Everywhere grant provides funding for programs, exhibition, series or other arts and culture projects
- The General Operating Support grant funds the general operations of an arts organization
- The Visiting Artists grant brings professional artists to audiences for performances and community interaction
- The Public Art and Murals grant supports art that highlights community pride and local history
“We are grateful for the 57 volunteer panelists who help this process run effectively and efficiently,” Kansas Arts Commission Director Curtis Young said. “Because of their time and dedication, we are able to fund a wide array of community projects across Kansas.”
Funding for Kansas Arts Commission grants comes from the Kansas Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
To view the full list of recipients, click here. To learn more about the Kansas Arts Commission or funding opportunities, click here or contact Ben Stanton at benjamin.stanton@ks.gov or (785) 213-5959.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
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Timken Foundation of Canton Awards Grant to the Gordon Parks Museum
Contact Name: Kirk Sharp FOR IMMEDIATE
Phone: 620-223-2700, ext. 5850 RELEASE
Email: kirks@fortscott.edu
Website: gordonparkscenter.org
Fort Scott, Kan. June. 24, 2024 –The Gordon Parks Museum is very excited to announce that the Timken
Foundation of Canton has awarded a grant in the amount of $46,000.00 to the Gordon Parks Museum. This
generous award will fund the museum’s technology and interactive displays expansion project that will focus
on the visitors’ experience and engagement throughout the museum and for events.
The expansion will include the purchase of over six large (43 to 86-inch) interactive touch screen displays and
monitors with portable stands with tilting capabilities, printer and high-resolution scanner, digital video
cameras, upgraded laptops, tablets, hard drives and panel displays for photographs and poetry exhibitions.
This expansion will also include audio devices for visitors with hearing disabilities to help make the museum
more accessible.
“We are truly grateful to the Timken Foundation for this incredible investment and support of our museum,”
said Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director, Kirk Sharp. “This grant will give us the ability to significantly
update and enhance the museum’ visitor experience with the expansion of technology and accessibility
throughout the museum. We can’t thank Timken enough for this wonderful and very generous gift.”
For more information about the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext.5850 or visit
http:www.gordonparkscenter.org/.
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Revised Summer Hours at the Gordon Parks Museum
Revised Summer Hours at the Gordon Parks Museum
Fort Scott, Kan. June. 24, 2024 – The Gordon Parks Museum revised summer hours will be Monday through
Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The museum will be closed every Friday along with the Fort Scott Community
College campus starting this Friday, June 28 through July 26, 2024. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact
the museum by email at gordonparkscenter@fortscott.edu or by phone at 223-2700, ext. 5850.
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Freedom’s Frontier NHA grant awarded to The Gordon Parks Museum
The Gordon Parks Museum received $1,000 in grant funding from Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area. The award will help with the museum’s technology and interactive display expansion for the purchase of a large 65-inch monitor display and mobile cart.
This purchase will help us to expand the museum, through the use of this monitor to provide slide shows of Gordon’s photographs, interviews, related films and videos along with other artist works that are inspired by Gordon’s remarkable career to fight against racism, poverty and discrimination.
The monitor will also be used as an additional monitor display for viewing, during presentations and events. This monitor can also provide promotional signage for future events and information for the museum.
“We are thrilled to be an award recipient of the Freedom’s Frontier NHA grant,” said Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director, Kirk Sharp.” We are excited to have this display installed, so to better enhance the visitor’s experience in our museum and for events.”
The goal to have the monitor and mobile cart installed and available for visitor’s use is August 1, 2024.
For more information about The Gordon Parks Museum visit gordonparkscenter.org
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Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) is a federally funded nonprofit organization and affiliate of the National Park Service dedicated to building awareness of the struggle for freedom along the Missouri-Kansas border. Established by Congress in 2006, its nationally significant themes are the settlement of the frontier, the Missouri-Kansas Border War and Civil War, and the enduring struggle for freedom. These diverse, interwoven, and nationally important stories grew from a unique physical and cultural landscape. FFNHA inspires respect for multiple perspectives and empowers residents to preserve and share these stories. We achieve our goals through interpretation, preservation, conservation, and education for all residents and visitors.
Local Museum Is Participating in 2024 Kansas Tourism Sunflower Summer Progam
The Gordon Parks Museum is a Venue for the Kansas Sunflower Summer Program
Fort Scott, Kan. – The Gordon Parks Museum is proud to announce its participation in the 2024 Kansas Tourism Sunflower Summer program. The Gordon Parks Museum Celebrates the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally known photographer, filmmaker, writer and musician.
The Sunflower Summer Program is a benefit for Kansas families with school-aged children to encourage them to explore, and fall in love, with Kansas. The program is designed to give affordable access to tourism attractions across the state and support the Kansas tourism economy. Eligible Kansas families will download the Sunflower Summer App to claim tickets to participating venues. The 2024 Sunflower Summer season will run from May 25 – August 11.
“We are thrilled to be a venue for the 2024 Kansas Sunflower Summer program,” said Gordon Parks Museum, Executive Director, Kirk Sharp. “This opportunity allows us to welcome Kansas families to our attraction and provide them with an unforgettable experience.”
Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, aims to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities.
“Kansas Tourism is excited to have The Gordon Parks Museum as a part of the Sunflower Summer program,” said Kansas Tourism Director, Bridgette Jobe. “This program is an amazing benefit for the residents of Kansas, and we are looking forward to growing the program in the 2024 season. The Gordon Parks Museum is an important part of making this the best season yet for the program.”
For more information about The Gordon Parks Museum visit gordonparkscenter.org To discover more about the Sunflower Summer program, visit SunflowerSummer.org.
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About The Gordon Parks Museum: The Gordon Parks Museum celebrates the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician. The Gordon Parks Museum strives to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness and the role of diversity in our lives.
About Sunflower Summer: Sunflower Summer is a program operated by Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. The program aims to help Kansas families affordably explore the Sunflower State. The official Sunflower Summer mobile app is available on Apple and Android. More information can be found at SunflowerSummer.org