First Saturdays at Keystone: A Monthly Home for Artists, Culture, and Community in Kansas City

First Saturdays at Keystone is a free, monthly community arts event designed to support artists, small businesses, youth creatives, and cultural entrepreneurs in Kansas City. Hosted every first Saturday of the month, this event transforms Keystone into a vibrant hub where creativity, opportunity, education, and culture intersect.

Located between the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District and the Crossroads Arts District, First Saturdays at Keystone is more than an event — it is a system of access built to uplift Kansas City’s creative economy year-round.

Event Overview

First Saturdays at Keystone brings together visual artists, vendors, musicians, food trucks, educators, and families for an inclusive, intergenerational experience that celebrates local talent while providing real economic and professional opportunities.

Each month, attendees can explore:

• A curated Artist & Vendor Marketplace

• Live music and DJs

• Local food trucks and culinary vendors

• Youth arts education programming

• Artist professional development and humanities-based sessions

• Community networking and cultural exchange

This event is free and open to the public, making it accessible to artists, families, and community members from across Kansas City and beyond.

Event Details

• When: Every First Saturday of the Month

• Time:

  • 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Youth Artists Initiative (YAI – RSVP required)

  • 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Public Event & Marketplace

• Where: Keystone
  800 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

• Cost: Free to the public

Why First Saturdays at Keystone Exists

Kansas City does not lack creativity — it lacks consistent access.

For many artists and small businesses, opportunities often come in the form of one-time pop-ups, annual festivals, or short-term activations. While valuable, these moments alone are not enough to build sustainable creative careers.

First Saturdays at Keystone was created to address that gap.

This event exists to:

• Provide consistent visibility for artists and vendors

• Create recurring income opportunities

• Support creative entrepreneurship

• Connect artists to education, resources, and networks

• Build early pathways for youth creatives

• Strengthen Kansas City’s creative infrastructure

Rather than focusing on exposure alone, First Saturdays prioritizes long-term growth, stability, and access.

Artist & Vendor Marketplace

At the core of First Saturdays at Keystone is a thoughtfully curated Artist & Vendor Marketplace featuring:

• Visual artists (painting, mixed media, illustration, photography)

• Handmade goods and artisan products

• Jewelry, fashion, and accessories

• Wellness and lifestyle brands

• Authors, poets, and storytellers

• Creative entrepreneurs and small businesses

Vendors participate in one or multiple First Saturdays, allowing them to:

• Build recurring relationships with customers

• Test new products and ideas

• Grow their brand visibility over time

• Sell in a supportive, community-centered environment

The marketplace is designed to uplift artists at all stages — from emerging creatives to established entrepreneurs — while maintaining a high-quality, intentional experience for attendees.

Live Music, DJs, and Cultural Energy

Music and culture are essential to the Kansas City experience, and First Saturdays reflects that legacy.

Throughout the evening, attendees can enjoy:

• Live DJs and curated playlists

• Musical performances

• Ambient soundscapes that activate the space

The goal is not to overwhelm the marketplace, but to create an atmosphere that feels alive, welcoming, and reflective of Kansas City’s cultural roots.

Food Trucks & Culinary Vendors

No Kansas City gathering is complete without food.

Each First Saturday features local food trucks and culinary vendors, offering a variety of flavors and cuisines. These vendors are an essential part of the creative economy and are treated as creative entrepreneurs alongside artists and makers.

Food vendors benefit from:

• High foot traffic

• A diverse, community-driven audience

• Opportunities for catering exposure and repeat customers

Attendees are encouraged to come hungry and support local food businesses while enjoying the event.

Youth Artists Initiative (YAI)

First Saturdays at Keystone is committed to supporting artists at every stage of life — starting with youth.

From 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, the Youth Artists Initiative (YAI) provides structured, hands-on arts programming for young creatives. Led by professional artists and educators, YAI focuses on:

• Creative skill-building

• Self-expression and storytelling

• Confidence and identity development

• Early exposure to creative careers

YAI is intentionally designed as a learning and development program, not childcare. Youth participants are treated as artists in training and are encouraged to see themselves as creators, thinkers, and leaders.

Space is limited, and RSVP is required.

Artist Resource Center & Professional Development

Creativity thrives when paired with knowledge.

First Saturdays at Keystone integrates Artist Resource Center (ARC) programming and humanities-based education to support the sustainability of artists and creative entrepreneurs.

From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, participants can engage in:

• Business and financial literacy sessions

• Marketing and branding education

• Grant and opportunity navigation

• Cultural storytelling and humanities discussions

• Peer-to-peer learning and networking

These sessions are designed to remove barriers, demystify systems, and empower artists with tools to grow their practice and business.

A Strategic Location Rooted in Legacy

Keystone’s location is intentional.

Situated between the 18th & Vine Jazz District — a cornerstone of Black cultural history — and the Crossroads Arts District, First Saturdays at Keystone serves as a bridge between:

• Cultural legacy and contemporary creativity

• Historic institutions and emerging voices

• Community tradition and future innovation

This positioning reinforces the event’s mission to honor the past while actively building the future of Kansas City’s creative economy.

Community-Centered by Design

First Saturdays at Keystone is built on collaboration.

The event is produced by the 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation in partnership with Keystone, artists, vendors, educators, and community supporters. It is intentionally designed to be:

• Inclusive

• Accessible

• Intergenerational

• Artist-centered

• Community-led

Everyone — from vendors and performers to attendees and families — plays a role in shaping the experience.

Free, Public, and Accessible

Keeping First Saturdays at Keystone free is essential to its mission.

Free access ensures that:

• Families can attend together

• Artists are not only selling to other artists

• Community members from all backgrounds feel welcome

• Culture remains connected to the people who create it

This commitment to accessibility reflects the belief that culture should not be gated.

Who Should Attend

First Saturdays at Keystone is for:

• Artists seeking consistent opportunities

• Vendors and small businesses looking to grow

• Families searching for creative community spaces

• Youth interested in arts and culture

• Supporters of local businesses

• Anyone who loves Kansas City culture

Whether you come to shop, learn, eat, network, or simply experience something meaningful — there is space for you here.

Join Us Every First Saturday

First Saturdays at Keystone is not a one-time event. It is a recurring invitation to participate in Kansas City’s creative future.

📍 Location: Keystone
800 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

🕒 Time:
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Youth Artists Initiative)
3:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Public Event)

🎟 Cost: Free to the public

This is where creativity meets opportunity.
This is where artists earn, grow, and connect.
This is First Saturdays at Keystone.

18th & Vine Arts Festival Artist Call

Save the Date:
July 17th, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Address: 2000 Vine St, Kansas City, MO 64108

Calling All Artists!
Join us for an informative session about the 18th & Vine Arts Festival! Learn how you can showcase your work at Kansas City's premier celebration of Black art and culture.

Meet Fellow Artists
Get Detailed Information
Secure Your Spot
www.18thandvineartsfest.org

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of something special!

For further questions or concerns, contact 18thandvineartsfestival@gmail.com or call (816) 760-2278.