History
The Storytellers Inc., Artist Collective was founded, in 1992 by Michael Toombs, as a community-based arts organization that provides a safe environment for artistic expression and addresses social, economic and educational needs. Today, Storytellers Inc. operates under our founder's philosophy as a multicultural collective of professional artists diverse in age and educational background.
Our artists have created many public artworks such as six large scale murals for the Kansas City International Airport funded by the 1 Percent for the Arts Program and a 200 foot mural located in Bartle Hall Convention Center of Kansas City, Missouri. As a collective, our professional artists produce artworks in many mediums including music, graphic design, printmaking, painting, sculpture, book publishing, fiber arts and video technology.
As a youth educator, Storytellers Inc. works in partnership with other youth serving organizations such as Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, KC Mentoring Initiative, KU Medical Center, YouthFriends of Kansas City Kansas, Kansas City Kansas Housing Authority, KCKPS Prevention Services and with ArtsTech, COMBAT, Jackson County Family Courts. In collaboration we provide social, economic and educational opportunities for under served youth located in concentrated areas of the city.
Specialty
The Storytellers Inc. is distinguished from competition by their ability to utilize art as a communication tool and change agent; pushing past the aesthetic value to create an environment conducive to an open and accepting exchange of ideas. Community based art will create an environment that shows the public’s view. The Storytellers Inc. has mastered interactive art education; allowing participants to grow themselves to lead change in their environment.
Values
- The Storytellers Inc. operates in accordance with the highest standards in all relationships with customers, suppliers, environment and the community.
- The Storytellers Inc. fosters a climate that encourages innovation and diligence amongst staff and partnering agencies and rewards accordingly.
- The Storytellers Inc. aspires to achieve success in communities through emulating within its organizations’ staff, programs and projects its core values of innovation, responsibility, forthrightness, dedication, nurturing.
Vision
The Storytellers Inc. cares about the spiritual development of all communities. We believe that artistic reasoning allows individuals to find creative answers to obstacles. By creating artistic opportunities for individuals to be a part of a collaborative, we encourage participation in problem solving needs of the community.
We accomplish our vision by establishing an environment conducive to finding those answers and defining its collective values. Communities must equip themselves with the components of successful creative thinking, as well learning the process that allows the imagination to flourish. By assisting the community in teaching members how to understand the arts, we help develop greater sensibilities and assist in the successful development of society.
Awards
2005 Excellance in Positive Youth Programming
KCK Urban Academy2004 Distinguished Service Award for Arts & Disabilities
Accessible Arts Inc. & Kansas State Board of Education2003 Award for Outstanding Leadership in Positive Youth Development
Youth Development and Leadership Corps2002 Award for Excellence in Extended Day Programming
U.S.D. 500 Public School District2002 Outstanding Service in Extended Day Programs
The National Housing Authority Association2002 Environmental Excellence in After School Programming
E.P.A Region 7; Children's Protection Agency2002 Environmental Excellence in Business
Bridging the Gap; Kansas City, MO2002 Award for Outstanding Leadership in Positive Youth Development
Youth Development and Leadership Corps2001 Award for Excellence in Extended Day Programming
U.S.D. 500 Public School District
2001 Outstanding Service in Extended Day Programs
The National Housing Authority AssociationOutstanding Efforts in Community Arts Programs
The Greater Kansas City Community’s Foundation
The Colgate and Palmolive Bright Smile Bright Futures Award for outstanding service in working with children
The Bernie Hoffman Award
for outstanding community service
