Artists have started moving into the highly anticipated Zhou B Art Center, and the bulk of the $30 million renovation project is complete, with a few finishing touches remaining before an anticipated grand opening in April.
The arts center is located in the former Crispus Attucks School building at 1801 E. 18th Street in the heart of the 18th & Vine Jazz District.
The renovation project faced delays due to the pandemic and the historic preservation process involved with maintaining the integrity of the building, which is on the National Historic Registry, but major construction is complete.
The arts center spans 75,000 sq. ft. with multiple gallery and event spaces, a 250-seat theater, an artist lounge, a cafe and catering kitchen, and a large outdoor sculpture garden. Co-developer Allan Gray hopes the Zhou brothers’ art center becomes an artistic and cultural institution that will bring visitors to the region.
“It’ll be one of the anchors of the jazz district,” says Gray. “But this is not just a project for 18th and Vine; what the Zhou brothers are bringing is an arts center for Kansas City.”
The Zhou brothers — ShanZuo Zhou and DaHuang Zhou — are internationally renowned artists who left China and moved to the south side of Chicago in 1986. In 2004, the brothers opened the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago, which helped to revitalize their Bridgeport neighborhood.
“They were real pioneers for their neighborhood, attracting artists and other development,” says Gray. “What they did for Bridgeport is similar to what’s happening in the Crossroads.”
The Zhou B Art Center of Kansas City will be the brothers’ second arts center in the U.S., and they intend to build programming and events around the needs of the artists in residence. Classes, workshops, exhibitions, and an artist-of-the-month program are in the works for the center.
The arts center features 45 studio spaces, varying in size from 190 to 800 sq. ft. The studios offer 14-to-18-foot ceilings, with many featuring abundant natural light, Some in the basement level offer less light but are ideal for photographers and others. Gallery space is also available for artists to show their works.
Zhou B Art Center also features multiple event spaces and has already begun hosting events. For more info or to book an event or art studio, visit ZhouBArtCenterKC.com.
Zhou Brothers painting in new glass atrium entrance. Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
Former school gymnasium now an event & gallery space with an overlook Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
One artist gallery space Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
When abandoned most of the exposed brick was covered in graffiti, some of it was retained where it wouldn’t clash with the art, like here in a stairwell. Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
Artists have begun moving in and are displaying their art in rotating galleries. Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
Multi-purpose theatre and event space. Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
Gallery space for sculptures Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
Zhou Brothers’ painting. Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
Historically preserved former classroom now open for artist studio space. Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
Historic preservation with touches of modern features. Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
Planned artists lounge space. Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice 
Zhou B Art Center plans on featuring an artist of the month where their varied artists display their works. Credit: Thomas White / The Community Voice
