Artspeak Radio

ARTSPEAK RADIO is a live radio program on KKFI that airs every Wednesday from 9am - 10am CST Host Maria Vasquez Boyd serves up information about the visual and literary arts community including live interviews with artists, writers, and performers.

Artspeak Radio is a arts podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 625 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Artspeak Radio, a arts show with 625 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Artspeak Radio

  Artspeak Radio School Edition

  Aug 4, 20261 hour

  Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd talks with educator Whitney Boyd and Luna, singer/songwriter Heath Church. Fact: Missouri ranks near the bottom nationwide for teacher pay, consistently appearing in the 49th or 50th position. American teachers are increasingly stepping away from their jobs because of the educational systems and structures that prevent them from engaging in good teaching, which involves professional judgment, attunement to students’ multidimensional needs, and a connection to one’s purpose and values. The barriers to good teaching include overwork and underpay, in a profession that is increasingly undervalued—but that is not the whole story. The results of a massive survey, America’s Teachers on Teaching in an Era of Change, indicate a strong correlation between teachers’ job satisfaction and feeling that their voices are heard. Ninety-eight percent of the 20,000 respondents believe that teaching is more than a profession; it is how they make a difference in the world. The survey also suggested that new teachers, in particular, have comparatively higher needs for both content and social support. A frequently cited challenge for teachers was finding time to collaborate with colleagues, and rural and small-town teachers feel significantly more isolated and in need of support, connection, and collaboration. While self-care strategies such as mindfulness, gratitude, and self-compassion have been shown to support individual well-being, they are insufficient to support teachers who believe that their institutions are not in alignment with their values. These educators need the support and connection of an authentic learning community to give meaning, purpose, and direction to their work. Such communities are of particular importance for reengaging those suffering from demoralization, helping them regain their self-efficacy, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and commitment to students and the profession. There is power and hope when we work together. (What Teachers Really Need to Thrive, Greater Good Magazine, July 15, 2024, Margaret Golden, Ed.D, www.greatergood.berkeley.edu) Margaret Golden, Ed.D., is the director of learning communities at the Greater Good Science Center. She is the coauthor of Teach Our Children Well: Essential Strategies for the Urban Classroom and editor of Teaching and Learning from the Inside Out: Revitalizing Ourselves and Our Institutions. Teacher funding comes from crowdfunding platforms, non-profit organizations, and state or federal grants. On average, U.S. educators spend roughly $895 annually out of pocket for classroom supplies, making external grants and community donation programs vital resources to offset these costs. Crowdfunding and Donation Platforms • DonorsChoose: Use the DonorsChoose platform to post specific project requests and connect with individual donors. • AdoptAClassroom.org: Register on AdoptAClassroom to secure flexible funds, corporate sponsorships, and supply packages for your room. • Community options: Most users on Reddit agree that sharing Amazon wishlists on social media, checking local Buy Nothing groups, and utilizing PTA resources are effective supplementary tactics. Local and Regional Grants • State catalogs: Search localized opportunities like The Grant Portal to find active funding listings specific to Missouri educators. • Union support: Check the Missouri NEA for regional tuition assistance, humanitarian aid, and small project grants. Professional and Federal Programs • Fellowships: Apply for self-designed professional development funding through Fund for Teachers when applications open. • Government grants: Look into federal opportunities such as the Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program via the U.S. Department of Education. HEATH CHURCH is a singer-songwriter from the Midwest whose music is best described as dreamy indie-folk. His inspirations range from folk music legends including Johnny Cash, Blaze Foley, and John Prine to more recent indie artists such as Elliott Smith, Odie Leigh, Eels, and The Japanese House. Warm acoustic guitar tracks with layered vocals and undeniably catchy lyrics are all part of Heath Church’s signature sound which has been described as “Midwestern Heartbreak”. Since he first began his journey with songwriting over a decade ago, he has released multiple EPs & singles and has played over a hundred shows. Heath Church now shares his life experiences on stages across the country. When I play a song for you, I want to create an experience that sticks with you. I want to take you to a place in your mind where you feel accepted and understood in a unique way that you haven’t before. That’s what music does. It understands us. I think everyone needs a chance to feel understood. -Heath Church https://www.facebook.com/share/1BYd2k8NmE/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/5THqQuSbp7IuOk5zQbnDeW...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Artspeak Radio

  Artspeak Radio with Kasim Hardaway

  Jul 29, 20261 hour

  Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Kasim Hardaway. KASIM HARDAWAY is a filmmaker and storyteller based in Kansas City, Missouri, whose work explores identity, mental health, and transformation. Before entering film, he built a decade-long career as a nationally recognized food influencer and brand strategist, partnering with companies like ALDI, Target, and Impossible Foods. His storytelling was known for its visual depth and emotional honesty, qualities that now define his filmmaking voice. After years spent curating perfection online, Kasim found himself unraveling behind the scenes. What had once been creativity turned into performance, and the constant pursuit of relevance gave way to burnout and fatigue. Rather than turn away from that collapse, he chose to document it and transform his breakdown into art. That decision became The UNBecoming, a cinematic exploration of what it means to lose and rediscover oneself. Though new to filmmaking, Kasim approached the medium with a strong sense of story and emotional awareness shaped by his background in digital storytelling. The UNBecoming blurs the line between film and performance art, using movement and metaphor to capture the process of release, reflection, and renewal. Through his work, Kasim aims to create space for empathy and collective healing, inviting audiences to not only witness transformation but to feel it. In the process of unbecoming, I’ve realized just how many layers of myself have sought validation, affirmation, & acceptance. Versions of me that longed to be forgiven, that held a heart full of anger, that wanted to be seen, chosen, or simply told I was enough. Whewww. None of those versions served me to my benefit, but that didn’t make them exist any less. They lived inside me. Quiet & heavy. Unresolved. A core part of this project is healing: tending to the deep wounds I’ve carried since childhood, & even the more superficial nicks from recent years. “Take What You Need” was born from that. An extension of The UNBecoming, it’s a community-oriented installation that acts as a small offering meant to ease pain, soften longing aches, or at least lead the versions of myself (& others) a little closer to reconciliation. When I first began imagining what the installation would look like, I didn’t want it to feel like a static wall. I wanted it to breathe, to invite you in. I strung each envelope with fishing wire so it would seem suspended in air. As if the letters were gently hovering, waiting to be chosen. To me, that sense of lightness mattered: the words & messages themselves might be heavy, but the act of reaching for them could feel weightless. Each envelope carries a phrase on the outside. Something you might need to hear. Inside is a letter written to the one who felt that particular ache. As a small, playful detail, I added stamps. Sometimes the words might call out to you; other times it might be the color or design of a stamp that caught your eye. It leans into the fact that healing doesn’t always come through logic. Sometimes it comes through instinct, through something you can’t quite explain. After the debut of the installation, a friend told me his wife had chosen one of the envelopes to give to him. He was shocked by the sheer number of letters. 33 in total (& I’m currently writing more). He asked, “How did you come up with all of these? Are these all feelings you’ve felt within yourself?” My answer was yes. And also: not entirely. Each letter represents a piece of my own story, but not every ache cut me deeply. Some were wounds I wrestled with for years, others were fleeting pains that appeared in certain relationships or contexts. Still, as I revisit the letters now, I find them more & more (& moreee) relatable. Each one speaks to a scar I carry. Trauma that may not have defined me, but that nonetheless left its mark. The wall is not just mine. It’s a mirror. A place for anyone to pause, soften, & perhaps hear the words they’ve been waiting for. At its core, it’s also a reminder of our interconnectedness as human beings. We live in such divisive times, & it’s important to remember how much we truly share. Especially the pains & traumas we carry. No matter your gender, ethnicity, or background. It’s my hope to create more experiences like this. Ones that move, inspire, & heal. While I’ve loved the journey of creating the micro-film series, I’ve also found that in-person events & activations add another, tangible layer of expression. The people I’ve met & the conversations I’ve had through this project have been moving, humbling, & affirming to say the least. I’ll plan to share future pop-ups through the Chat feature here on Substack, but I also encourage you to follow the new accounts I’ve created for the installation on Instagram. I’ll be sharing letters digitally there as well, so even if you can’t make it to a pop-up in person, the words can still find you. And if you want to explore the project on a more intimate level, consider becoming a paid subscriber & diving into The UNBecoming Reset: a six week guide to your own unraveling & return. kasimhardaway.com

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Artspeak Radio

  Artspeak Radio with Kēvin Callahan, Marti Dodge, and Wolfe Brack

  Jul 19, 20261 hour

  Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd artists Kēvin Callahan, Marti Dodge, and InterUrban ArtHouse Executive Director Wolfe Brack join us on air. KĒVIN CALLAHAN & MARTI DODGE-Schoolhouse Art Gallery & Nature Center Presents Prairie Echos, a Sculptural Tribute to the Natural World New exhibition by Kansas City artists Kēvin Callahan and Marti Dodge opens Friday, July 31, in Brownville, Nebraska Prairie Echos is a new exhibition featuring the work of Kansas City artists Kēvin Callahan of the Elegant Line Studio and Marti Dodge of 3Herons Art, on Friday, July 31, 2026. The show will remain on view throughout August 2026. Prairie Echos honors and reimagines the artists' shared love for the natural world. Drawing from the prairie landscape that surrounds them, Callahan and Dodge transform what they have observed in nature — from fallen trees to birds on the wing — into work that brings those moments to life. The exhibition is primarily sculptural, with pieces that arise from the land itself before being presented to the viewer. Both Callahan and Dodge are lifelong multidisciplinary artists who work across a range of media, including paint, wood, and metal. Their distinct yet complementary visions give the show its name: an exhibition that lets the prairie speak, and echoes it back through art. Opening Night The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 6 PM. The evening will feature artist talks, a Q&A session, and an opportunity for guests to mingle with Callahan and Dodge and hear directly about the inspiration behind their work. About the Artists Kēvin Callahan creates work under the name the Elegant Line Studio. A multidisciplinary artist, Callahan draws on natural forms and the landscapes of the prairie to shape sculptural and mixed-media pieces. Marti Dodge works under the name 3Herons Art. Also a lifelong multidisciplinary artist, Dodge explores the natural world through paint, wood, metal, and sculpture, reflecting a deep connection to the environment. Visitor Information Prairie Echos opens at the Schoolhouse Art Gallery & Nature Center, Brownville, Nebraska with a reception: Friday, July 31, 2026 and will be on view through August 2026. More information: brownvillefinearts.com/schoolhouse-art-gallery For interviews, images, or additional information, please contact Kēvin Callahan at kevin@bsfgadv.com or Marti Dodge at mertldoc@icloud.com. WOLFE BRACK InterUrban ArtHouse Executive Director InterUrban Arthouse is a 501c3 community arts organization in Downtown Overland Park offering gallery space, affordable studio space, and arts events to the public. InterUrban Arthouse is located at 8001 Newton St, Overland Park, KS 66204, open Monday, Thursday, and Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 12-4. Exhibition receptions are every 3rd Friday, 5-8pm, and open to the public. Learn more at interurbanarthouse.org or interurbanarthouse on FB and Instagram Current Exhibition, up through July 30th: Let Me Introduce Myself - Work from the Gift of Troost Black Artist Collective and KC area Black artists. Upcoming events: Thursday, July 23rd, 6:30-7:30 pm: Curators Connect at Englewood Art Center 10901 E Winner Rd in Independence, MO. Artists and curators are invited in to talk with staff and learn about their programs, classes, studio space, and how artists can get involved. Saturday, Aug 15th, 12-4pm: Artist headshots with photographer Jason Piggie. Happens the 3rd Saturday of every month. Friday, Aug 21st, 5-8pm at IUAH - Opening reception for This Is Permanent, featuring work by tattoo artists and artists making tattoo adjacent work. Thursday, Sept 3rd, 6:30-8pm - Joy Zimmerman Trio in concert at IUAH. Info at joyzimmermanmusic.com Friday, Sept 18th, 5-8pm at IUAH - This Is Permanent Closing reception Friday, October 16th, 5-9pm - 12 x 12 Member show and annual Arts on Fire community event. Hundreds of small works from member artists and community members (everyone can participate!), and multiple performances, snacks, and surprises throughout the night. Workshops with Johnson County Library Stitching Tradition: A Kawandi Tote Bag Workshop Series Thursdays, Sept. 10, 17, 24 • 10 a.m.-Noon @ Corinth Library Tuesdays, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13 • 10 a.m.-Noon @ Oak Park Library Explore the rich tradition of Kawandi quilting in this three part workshop series led by Sherry Whetstone of InterUrban ArtHouse. Kawandi is a hand-stitched quilting practice developed by the Siddi people, an Afro-Indigenous community in India. ArtWorks: Marketing & Promoting Your Work Saturday, Sept. 26 • 10-11:30 a.m. @ Central Resource Library ArtWorks: Grants/Funding Your Work Wednesday, Nov. 18 • 6-7:30 p.m. @ Central Resource Library

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Artspeak Radio

  Artspeak Radio with Barbara Reres, Greater Kansas City Area Committee National Museum of Women in the Arts

  Jul 14, 20261 hour

  Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Babara Reres, Chair Greater Kansas City Area Committee National Museum of Women in the Arts. BARBARA RERES, Chair Greater Kansas City Area Committee National Museum of Women in the ARTS THE MISSION OF the National Museum of Women in the ARTS With its collections, exhibitions, programs, and online content, the museum seeks to inspire dynamic exchanges about art and ideas. NMWA advocates for better representation of women artists and serves as a vital center for thought leadership, community engagement, and social change. NMWA addresses the gender imbalance in the presentation of art by bringing to light important women artists of the past while promoting great women artists working today.To fulfill this mission, NMWA: • Displays and preserves a collection of more than 5,000 objects • Presents ten world-class exhibitions featuring women artists each year • Runs an acclaimed public programs initiative highlighting the power of women and the arts as catalysts for change • Offers education curricula and programs for learners of all ages • Maintains a 17,500-volume library and research center • Serves as a leading resource for facts about gender disparity in the arts • Highlights women artists on its website, blog, and social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram • Publishes art history books and a triannual magazine • Sponsors twenty national and international outreach committees, whose members serve as NMWA ambassadors and advocate for artists in their regions. Visit www.nmwa.org HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS Founded in 1987, NMWA is the only major museum in the world solely dedicated to recognizing women’s creative contributions. The idea for the National Museum of Women in the Arts grew from a simple, obvious, but rarely asked question: Where are all the women artists? NMWA’s founders, Wilhelmina Cole Holladay and Wallace F. Holladay, began collecting art in the 1960s, just as scholars and art historians were beginning to discuss the underrepresentation of women and various racial and ethnic groups in museum collections and major art exhibitions. Among the first to apply this revisionist approach to collecting, the Holladays committed themselves for over 20 years to assembling art by women. By 1980, Wilhelmina Cole Holladay began to devote her energies and resources to creating a museum that would showcase women artists, and the Holladay Collection became the core of the institution’s permanent collection. The National Museum of Women in the Arts was incorporated in November 1981 as a private, non-profit museum. During its first five years, NMWA operated from temporary offices with docent-led tours of the collection at the Holladay residence. Special exhibitions also were presented. In 1983, the museum purchased a 78,810 square-foot Washington landmark near the White House, formerly a Masonic Temple, and refurbished it in accordance with the highest design, museum, and security standards. It won numerous architectural awards. In the spring of 1987, NMWA opened the doors of its permanent location with the inaugural exhibition, American Women Artists, 1830-1930, a definitive survey curated by one of the country’s foremost feminist art historians, Dr. Eleanor Tufts. See more about the National Museum of Women in the Arts at: nmwa.org The Greater Kansas City Area Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is one of the museum’s nearly 30 national and international committees.The National Museum of Women in the Arts is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts. The local group formed in Kansas City, MO in 2002 under the leadership of Jeannette Nichols with the goals of raising awareness of the National Museum’s unique purpose and of bringing attention to noteworthy women artists in our own community. Since its formation, the Committee has grown its membership, due in large part to the efforts of Darlene McCluskey, Jean Rau, Jan Leonard and Beth Viehland who have arranged more than 100 “monthly outings” to artists’ studios, special exhibitions at local museums, and private home collections. Committees have worked diligently to sponsor a juried art show (2006), to organize a major gift to the National Museum of Hung Liu’s “Seven Poses” (2007), and to participate in the Women to Watch exhibitions which have become our signature events for 2010, 2012, and 2015. www.kc-nmwa.org Greater Kansas City Area Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts PO Box 480132 Kansas City, MO 64148

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Artspeak Radio

  Artspeak Radio with KC Fringe Festival and EarlystART

  Jul 2, 20261 hour

  Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Audrey Crabtree Executive Director KC Fringe Festival and June McDaniel EarlystART CEO. AUDREY CRABTREE, Executive Director KC Fringe The KC Fringe is the largest celebration of arts and culture in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Returning live for its 22nd season for a two-week explosion of performance, film, visual arts exhibitions, and events that showcase the work of local, national, and international artists. The mostly volunteer-run organization has been supporting artists, cultivating creators, and attracting adventurous audiences since July 2005. Our Mission-KC Fringe Festival champions creative expression by empowering artists to produce bold and innovative work through an annual visual and performing arts festival that is accessible and affordable for all. Our Vision-KC Fringe • Aspires to be the region’s leading pipeline for artistic innovation, fostering individuals and groups with opportunities to continue on their artistic journey through education, mentorship, collaborations and partnerships with emerging and established organizations. • Create cultural understanding by amplifying diverse voices through inclusive representation in our artists, programming, audiences, and venues and expanding the festival to be reflective and inclusive of global cultures. • Envisions a vibrant, sustainable cultural landscape where artists and audiences converge, forming a dynamic and engaged community to experience the transformative power of the arts. Inclusivity Statement-KC Fringe is committed to providing a respectful, safe environment free from harassment, violence, discrimination, bullying, and abuse. We will not tolerate participation in activities or behaviors that discriminate on the ground of race, gender, age, marital status, religious beliefs, citizenship, mental and physical abilities or sexual orientation. We provide opportunities for everyone to contribute and participate in all events and activities whenever possible, and all community members are to be treated with respect and dignity. We seek to expand our reach to fight against injustices and become a more welcoming and equitable place for everyone to enjoy the performing arts. If you feel you are experiencing actions contrary to our safe, respectful environment, we want to hear from you. Please email our board liaison at SpeakUp@kcfringe.org. Accessibility Statement-All of our venues are wheelchair accessible. If you require additional assistance, please contact us one week in advance at accessibility@kcfringe-org.us.stackstaging.com for additional support at the venue. www.kcfringe.org JUNE MCDANIEL, EarlystART CEO, Ex-Officio - Embrace Wonder! The earliest years are the wonder years. A time when children are curious by nature and undeterred by the unknown. That’s why an EarlystART education is distinctively different. Here, we believe in the ability of creative expression to fuel and express passion. We are where hope flies high. Where families flourish. Where kids can be kids. Here, we believe all children deserve a great education right from the start and will make the world better because of it. We’re EarlystART, an innovator in wonder-filled early education for more than 50 years, and we’re just getting started! At EarlystART, we are redefining early childhood education through a unique arts-infused curriculum that nurtures creativity, curiosity, and confidence in children from six weeks to five years old. Our approach goes beyond traditional learning - integrating visual arts, music, movement, and imaginative play into daily instruction to support academic readiness, social-emotional growth and resilience. In a community where many children face significant barriers from the very start, this model is proving transformative. We are seeing firsthand how exposure to the arts helps shape capable, compassionate, and confident young learners - the emerging leaders and citizens our community will rely on in the years ahead. • Why arts-infused learning is a powerful (and often overlooked) driver of long-term success • How EarlystART is addressing critical gaps in access to high-quality early education • The broader impact this work has on families, workforce development, and community vitality • Invite the community to support the Art of Wonder, our signature breakfast event on August 5th at the Zhou B Art Center Our Project Construct evidence-based curriculum encourages positive teacher-student relationships, autonomy, and child-led experiences. In this supportive, collaborative and child-centered environment, students not only develop per their individual needs – they flourish! Project Construct classrooms incorporate many of the activities found in traditional classrooms such as pretend play and block building, but have a clear emphasis on cognitive objectives. At EarlystART, our distinctive approach blends the Project Construct curriculum with the Arts, sparking each child’s innate curiosity. We encourage creative expression and foster each child’s social competence, support learning through play, and forge strong home-school connections. Our one-of-a-kind arts-infused environment touches all aspects of learning while also engaging families in the process. In turn, our students become enthusiastic, independent, and inquisitive learners as they march to their own beats and do what works for them! The EarlystART curriculum is a magical mix of visual, musical, and dramatic arts that come to life in our classrooms, art studios, and venues around the community. Why Art is Smart-Experiencing the arts prompts the synapses in a child’s brain to fire away. And just like that, billions of new connections are formed through arts experiences and creative expression! Our dedicated arts educators integrate the arts in meaningful ways: leading students and parents in after-school Stay-and-Play activities; addressing the special needs of students who have experienced trauma through arts-based therapies; welcoming talented Artists in Residence to The Studio, our on-site makerspace; engaging families and community in artistic and cultural experiences on site and around the community that inspire creative thought and an appreciation for the arts. EarlystART, 2008 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64127 The flagship center along Kansas City’s 12th Street Corridor has long been an anchor of hope and opportunity for children and families living in the historic Northeast neighborhoods or who work in the nearby downtown business district. THE ART OF WONDER Wednesday, August 5th, 2026 | Zhou B Art Center | 8:30-10 AM 1801 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108 Wake up, pour a little joy, and let’s paint the morning bright together! The Art of Wonder begins with a curated student art gallery showcasing original works created by EarlystART Little Learners. Each piece tells a story of curiosity, imagination, and growth – a vivid reminder of what quality early education makes possible. Join us at this distinctive venue in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. Enjoy coffee, breakfast, and a morning brimming with inspiration – all to benefit EarlystART! www.earlystartkc.org

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Artspeak Radio. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.