Thank you for making a contribution to JewelHouse.

The Kansas City Museum is working with New York-based artist Summer Wheat and Kansas City-based International Architects Atelier (IAA) to create JewelHouse—a monumental, site-responsive artwork and groundbreaking architectural intervention that reimagines the Museum's former Beaux-Arts conservatory.

The project is in the final design phase, and more information on groundbreaking and completion date are forthcoming.

Built in 1910 to store plants in the winter and modified in the early 1950s to create a planetarium, the conservatory will be restored and renovated to its original architecture with new glass, bronze, and mosaic contemporary artworks by Summer Wheat integrated into the exterior and interior of the building. As part of a broad initiative to reinvigorate and renovate the Kansas City Museum's grounds, Wheat will transform the conservatory into a jewel box of a space to be used by the public for meditative reflection in addition to hosting a robust slate of programming that promotes gender equity, empowerment, health, and well-being.

JewelHouse will be a light-filled, immersive, and inclusive sanctuary for contemplation, reflection, and renewal and a hub for connection, inspiration, and action. Aligning with the Museum's work in restorative practices, JewelHouse will provide solace or stimulus for those who seek engagement, reconciliation, and healing.

A priority goal for creating and sustaining JewelHouse is to inspire active matrongage and women-led support and collaboration in all aspects and at all levels of the project. For JewelHouse, we define matronage as the leadership role women have always played in philanthropy and bold community-based endeavors to be the truth-tellers, knowledge-bearers, and guardians of whole story.

JewelHouse will serve as a space for inclusive history and humanities education, public programs, and events. The curriculum will be developed using restorative practices as a methodology to center the often-untold stories of women across generations. Education and public programs will include storytelling, spoken word, oral history recordings, collecting initiatives, music concerts, and dance performances, as well as panel discussions, summits, and workshops.

The Kansas City Museum, in collaboration with the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, will create opportunities for youth mentorship and leadership experiences that reinforce a shared humanity and aim to create a more inclusive future.

The Kansas City Museum Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Click here to make a contribution to make a contribution where you may add an amount or choose a giving level at the $1,000 - $50,000.

Leadership & Legacy Giving Opportunities for JewelHouse

All gifts will be recognized inside JewelHouse on a custom designed donor wall, and all gifts provide special invitations to private events for JewelHouse. Leadership Giving Levels include meaningful benefits, and Legacy Giving Levels provide naming opportunities and tailored engagement that meets the goals of the Funder, the Museum, and the Community.

Crown Jewel $50,000

Use of JewelHouse or Corinthian Hall for a private event, a print by Summer Wheat, and a limited edition, custom designed charm bracelet by Summer Wheat.

Rare Gem $25,000

Use of Corinthian Hall or JewelHouse for a private event and a print by Summer Wheat and a limited edition, custom designed water bearer necklace by Summer Wheat.

Collective Impact $60,000 - $75,000

This level is for giving circles of up to 10 individuals who come together to support JewelHouse collectively. Individuals in the giving circle may contribute different amounts, and the total gift will be recognized at this level. Benefits will be tailored for each giving circle.

Legacy Giving Levels & Naming Opportunities

Stone Story $100,000

Provides Naming for Two Mosaic Stone Seats inside JewelHouse

The Water Bearer $150,000

Provides Naming for Bronze Water Bearer Entrance Door. This has been funded by Girlfriend Fund.

Transformation $250,000

Provides Naming for Four Interior Stained Glass Windows with Coiled Snake Design

To the Moon and Back $300,000

Provides Naming for Bronze Lid on Cooper Roof with Sun, Moon, and Star Design. This has been funded by the Enid and Crosby Kemper Foundation and the R.C. Kemper, Jr. Charitable Trust.

Storyteller $500,000

Provides Naming for Interior Mosaic Border around Perimeter of Floor. Funder will provide a personal story or an image of an heirloom to be depicted visually by Summer Wheat in the mosaic design.

Infinite Sky $1,000,000

Provides Naming for Embedded Interior Stained Glass Skylight with Star Design & 26 Window Portals

Illumination $2,000,000

Provides Naming for All Eleven Interior Stained Glass Windows

JewelHouse $3,000,0000

This level provides a Naming Opportunity for the Entire Building.

Project Budget for JewelHouse

$200,000 - Architectural Design

$800,000 - Art Design & Fabrication

$2,500,000 - Art Integration & Historic Restoration

$200,000 - Education & Programming

$3,700,000 - TOTAL PROJECT COST

Fundraising for JewelHouse began in January 2022. To date, $830,000 has been secured including gifts at $50,000 and above from the following funders (listed in alphabetical order):

Stephane Bradley Cooch

Christy & Bill Gautreaux

Girlfriend Fund

Enid and Crosby Kemper Foundation & the R.C. Kemper, Jr. Charitable Trust

Mary Kemper Wolf & Gary Wolf

Wells Fargo Foundation

Women’s Art Fund of Charlotte, North Carolina

To learn more about JewelHouse, visit:

https://kansascitymuseum.org/jewelhouse