KC artist featured in ad during SNL, named to global cohort of young social justice leaders

Being recognized for his work training local artists on the intersection of art and public policy, Logan Stacer said the honor from an global-facing nonprofit highlights Kansas City’s collective effort and passion for using art as a force for positive change.

Logan Stacer, Heartland Arts KC

Stacer, an artist, youth pastor, educator and non-profit executive with Heartland Arts KC, this week was included in “The Creatives” from the Youth To The Front Fund (YTTFF), an initiative of the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF).

The recognition positions Stacer among a group of 25 artivists, collectives, and cultural storytellers who are actively using art to address systemic injustice and shift narratives across local and global communities.

“Receiving this honor … is not just a personal achievement, but a significant milestone for Kansas City’s vibrant arts community,” said Stacer, who serves as executive artistic director for Heartland Arts KC. “It reinforces our belief that creativity can be a powerful tool to address societal issues and bring diverse communities together.”

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“The Creatives,” representing 26 countries across five continents and nine states within the United States, were recently introduced in an impactful 30-second Art Ad on NBCUniversal’s Saturday Night Live. This showcase, directed by the renowned filmmaker Michael Holman, a Jean-Michel Basquiat collaborator, featured an intergenerational array of creatives and the chart-topping hit “Unforgiven” by Nile Rodgers with K-Pop stars LE SSERAFIM.

“I am immensely proud to represent Kansas City on this global platform and share our unique stories and perspectives with the world,” Stacer said. “This honor is a testament to the talent, resilience, and spirit of our local artists and cultural advocates.”

We Are Family Foundation’s Youth To The Front Fund program supports and funds under-30-year-old BIPOC youth activists and allies, youth-led organizations, collectives, projects, innovations and creative solutions that are at the forefront of fighting systemic racism, inequality, inequity and injustice in the United States and around the world.

Click here to learn more about the origins of the We Are Family Foundation, and its link to Nile Rogers’ response to the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

2024 HE[ART]LAND Fellowship

“Logan’s dedication to leveraging the arts for social change and community engagement embodies the core values of our organization,” said Jordan Marcotte, board chair for Heartland Arts KC. “This global acknowledgment is a powerful affirmation of Heartland Arts KC’s significant role in enriching lives and fostering inclusivity through the arts. We are incredibly proud of Logan’s achievement and are excited for the future, as we continue to support and amplify the voices of artists and creatives in Kansas City and beyond.”

The We Are Family Foundation also made note of the HE|ART|LAND Fellowship program at Heartland Arts KC for its ability to use cultural storytelling to compel audiences to participate in local democracy.

Hosted at Starlight Theatre, this year’s HE[ART]LAND Fellowship consists of a cohort of eight local artists. Over 12 weeks, the Fellows will meet to learn about public policy related to crime prevention and policing in Kansas City from community experts, then write an original show based on their learning to be performed on April 16. 

Click here to learn more about the fellows.