Five Years of Fueling Creativity: Reflecting on the Barbara Marshall Residence Hall at the Kansas City Art Institute

Every August, hundreds of first-year students arrive at the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI). For many, the Barbara Marshall Residence Hall (BMRH) is the first place they’ll call home on campus. This August marks a milestone — five years since the building first opened its doors and began shaping the student experience at KCAI.

Since it opened, the Barbara Marshall Residence Hall has become a cornerstone of campus life — just as KCAI leadership intended when they embarked on their aspirational campus master plan in 2017. Its impact from the last five years can be felt across campus, the broader community, and most importantly, on its students.

Campus

In alignment with the master plan, KCAI set out to:

• Increase enrollment with competitive housing and dining facilities.
• Accommodate more beds on campus while elevating the first-year experience.
• Provide a high-quality dining option for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
• Create a durable, sustainable building that represents the best use of KCAI’s resources.

Since BMRH opened, enrollment has grown year after year. Demand for housing is so strong that applications consistently exceed availability, a clear signal of the building’s appeal to both current and prospective students.

Community

One of the project’s key goals was to deepen KCAI’s connection to the surrounding arts community. Located along the “art ribbon” — with the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art on one side and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on the other — the site was primed to serve as a cultural connector.

With Café Nerman, and the Wylie Dining Center, KCAI opened its doors even wider to neighbors, local businesses, and arts patrons, who are invited to stop in for coffee or lunch. Helix removed the perimeter fencing that once separated the campus from the community, leaving only a symbolic portion of the historic entry gate. This move reinforced the message that KCAI is a place to share in the creativity of budding artists. 

Students

KCAI leadership have always believed that there is an undeniable correlation between the quality of their facilities and student engagement. They also recognized that the needs of their students have dramatically changed since the original residence hall was built in 1963.  

From the beginning, Helix set out to design a residence hall that was created specifically for the needs of today’s arts students. Within the walls of this residence hall, like-minded yet diverse students come together to learn and grow. They have a heightened appreciation and curiosity for craftsmanship and quality in their new home; they care deeply about their mental health and wellness; and they are advocates for social justice.

Since opening, the building has contributed to increases in both enrollment and student retention. Students living in BMRH report measurable improvements in their mental well-being, engagement with campus, and overall satisfaction with their college experience.

BMRH has housed hundreds of students, serving as a backdrop for their creative breakthroughs and offering them a place of respite when they need a break. More than a building, the residence hall has become an essential part of KCAI’s vibrant story — one that evolves with each new class of students.