Artspeak Radio with KC Fringe Festival and EarlystART

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 [email protected]. Accessibility Statement-All of our venues are wheelchair accessible. If you require additional assistance, please contact us one week in advance at [email protected] 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