The Leedy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit foundation dedicated to preserving Jim Leedy’s artistic legacy and the history of Leedyville. Through research, documentation, and conservation, the Foundation cares for Jim’s artwork and archives, helping ensure that his work, vision, and contributions to Kansas City’s artistic history endure for generations to come. The Leedy Foundation Gallery, currently in development within LVAC, will provide a dedicated space to share Jim’s work and the history of the community he helped create.
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LEEDY FOUNDATION
Preserving the Legacy of Jim Leedy
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Mission
The Leedy Foundation preserves Jim Leedy's artistic legacy by caring for his artwork, archives, and historical materials, and by documenting his life, work, vision, and lasting impact on Kansas City.
Vision
To ensure that Jim Leedy’s work, ideas, and contributions to Kansas City’s artistic history endure and remain accessible to future generations.
Purpose
“Life is Fleeting, Art Endures.” — Jim Leedy
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The Leedy Foundation exists to preserve the legacy of Jim Leedy—artist, mentor, visionary, and founder. Through the preservation of his artwork and archives, historical research, documentation, conservation, and public education, the Foundation is working to ensure that Jim’s contributions are not lost.
Jim Leedy
Artist | Mentor | Visionary | Founder
Jim Leedy devoted his life to making, teaching, supporting, and advocating for the arts. In 1985, he founded the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center and developed what became known as Leedyville, transforming abandoned warehouses into studios and galleries where artists could affordably live, work, exhibit, collaborate, and flourish.
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His vision helped create an environment where artists could build community and contribute to Kansas City's cultural life. His influence extended beyond his own artwork to the artists he mentored, the spaces he created, and the artistic community he helped establish.
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Jim was recognized throughout Kansas City for his contributions to the arts and his role in developing the Crossroads arts community.​ The Leedy Foundation was established in 2016 to preserve Jim’s legacy and ensure that his work and contributions continue to be understood and remembered.
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Preserving Jim Leedy’s Work
A central focus of the Leedy Foundation is the preservation and documentation of Jim Leedy’s extensive body of work.
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The Foundation is working to inventory, photograph, catalog, research, and properly preserve his artwork and related historical materials. This includes ongoing research into his work and archives, including D2 research, which is helping document and better understand his artistic output.
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This work creates a permanent record of Jim’s career and provides an important resource for future researchers, scholars, museums, students, and the public.
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Preserving the History
Jim Leedy’s legacy is also connected to the history he helped create.
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The Foundation is working to preserve photographs, documents, exhibition records, publications, and other historical materials that help tell the story of Jim Leedy and the development of Leedyville.​ This history provides important context for understanding Jim’s role in Kansas City’s artistic community and the development of the Crossroads.
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Help Preserve Jim Leedy’s Legacy
Jim Leedy’s artwork and history are an important part of Kansas City’s cultural heritage. We need your help to preserve them. The Leedy Foundation seeks support for the research, documentation, conservation, cataloging, photography, archival preservation, and development needed to protect Jim’s work and make his legacy accessible to future generations.
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Your support can help us preserve Jim Leedy’s artwork, continue important research, care for his archives, and bring the Leedy Foundation Gallery to life.​
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​Your donation can help us achieve this goal!
Leedy Foundation
Board Members
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Molly Forman
Stephanie Leedy
John O’Brien
Erin Woodworth
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Multiple Ways to Give
We always have FREE admission and are open to the public.
Your generous contributions of any amount are appreciated.
1. Make Your Donation Today
2. Volunteer
Would you like to help be a part of our First Friday Opening?
Sign-up today online or in Jim Leedy's Room and receive more information.
In 2010, KCUR’s Laura Spencer invited Jim Leedy and his daughter, Stephanie Leedy, to participate in StoryCorps during its Kansas City visit. Jim was 79 at the time and still actively making art. Their conversation offers a wonderful glimpse into Jim’s life as an artist and teacher, his thoughts about his work and legacy, and what it was like for Stephanie to grow up with an artist for a father.
Stephanie held a very special place in Jim’s life and in the Leedy-Voulkos community. Over the years, she has done so much to carry forward her father’s vision for a place where artists could work, create, connect, and flourish.
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Today, Stephanie continues that work through her commitment to preserving Jim’s legacy and the history of the creative community he helped build.
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Take a little time to hear Jim tell his story in his own voice.
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Leedy Foundation Friday Newsletters
Friday, September 18, 2026