Active. Informed.
Engaged.
American Public Square brings people together to build stronger, more connected communities.
One way we do this is through our community programs and events where we create space for community members to learn more about important local, regional and national issues, while building meaningful connections with others.
What sets APS apart from other community programs is our willingness to tackle tough topics head on. Our programs often feature diverse and divergent perspectives on highly polarizing topics such as free speech, freedom of the press, reproductive rights, gun reform, policing in America, identity politics and more. Representing our commitment to civil, fact-based conversation, APS uses a specially curated set of tools at each program—our Civility Toolkit. These tools ensure our panelists and audience are free to discuss and deliberate the complexities of the tough topics discussed without the vitriol and hyperbole often seen in today’s political discourse.
Explore the different types of programs APS offers by clicking the links below.
Upcoming APS Events
07
May
Partner Event: Beyond the Bridge Film Screening
5:45 PM
8:30 PM
Independence Boulevard Christian Church: 606 Gladstone Avenue, Kansas City, MO
15
May
Shaping the Future of Local Programs: Spring Event
5:30 PM
6:45 PM
The Brew Lab:7925 Marty St, Overland Park, KS 66204
Programs
Signature Programs
The cornerstone of American Public Square, Signature Programs offer you a chance to hear from expert panelists, each bringing diverse experience and perspectives, to deliberate over a polarizing topic.
These panelists are well-positioned to educate participants on the complexities of the program topic. The APS Civility Toolkit is leveraged at all Signature programs and represents our commitment to civil, fact-based conversations.
Discussion Groups
Bring your own thoughts and perspectives to join the APS Member community in conversation with notable guests, such as authors, local experts, community leaders and more.
Cocktails & Politics
A perfect pairing! Enjoy a signature cocktail and a more intimate conversation with a notable speaker who is directly involved in policies and politics of interest. APS Members receive priority access to exclusive Cocktails & Politics events throughout the year.
Community-Building Programs
Step out and join others from your community at a film screening, dinner social, workshop and more! These events are a great way to be involved in your community and feel, first-hand, the power of community engagement.
Season Sponsors
Past Events
10
Apr
Homelessness: A Neglected Epidemic
05:30 PM
7:30 PM
Rockhurst University: Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Hall (5351 Forest Avenue Kansas City, MO); Virtual viewing also available
02
Apr
Safety in Schools
06:30 PM
8:15 PM
Peters Theater in Brown Hall at William Jewell College: 500 College Hill Liberty, MO
11
Mar
Speaking Freely
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
The National WWI Museum and Memorial - 2 Memorial Drive - Kansas City, Missouri
23
Feb
Community Film Screening: Punch 9 for Harold Washington
3:00 PM
5:45 PM
Macedonia Baptist Church (1700 Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, MO)
13
Feb
Community Film Screening: Elephant in the Room
6:30 PM
9:15 PM
Glenwood Arts Theatre at 3707 W 95th St, Overland Park, KS 66206
30
Jan
Shaping the Future of Local Programs
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
Vine Street Brewery: 2010 Vine Street, Building 2A Kansas City, MO 64108
09
Dec
Evening at the Square 2024
5:30 PM
8:30 PM
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111
20
Nov
2024 Presidential Election Unpacked
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
Truman Presidential Library and Museum: 500 W US Hwy 24, Independence, MO 64050
22
Oct
The Influential Watchdog
6:00 PM
8:30 PM
The National WWI Museum and Memorial - 2 Memorial Drive - Kansas City, Missouri
01
Oct
Beyond the Symptoms
5:30 PM
7:15 PM
Johnson County Central Resource Library, Carmack Room, 9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212
19
Sep
Fall Community Film Screening: “Join or Die”
5:00 PM
7:30 PM
Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Hall at Rockhurst University: 5351 Forest Avenue, Kansas City, MO
16
Sep
Discussion Group: How to Raise a Citizen – Resurrection
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
Resurrection Leawood, 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS 66224
12
Sep
Discussion Group: How to Raise a Citizen – Pine Ridge Presbyterian
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
Pine Ridge Presbyterian, 7600 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64153
27
Aug
Let’s Talk Politics! An APS Members Summer Social
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
The Fire House KC at 4518 Troost Avenue Kansas City, MO
05
Aug
Ten Years After Ferguson: The State of Policing
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
Resurrection Downtown: 1601 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
02
Aug
25
Jul
Cocktails & Politics with Esther George
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
The Kauffman Foundation Conference Center: Town Square Room
27
Jun
Watch Party! Presidential Election Debate
7:30 PM
9:30 PM
Kansas City PBS Building: 125 E. 31st St., Kansas City, MO, 64108
21
May
A Happy Hour Event by APS & LIFT KC
4:30 PM
6:30 PM
Discourse Brewery and Taproom | 7211 W. 97th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212
25
Apr
Triggering Change: Engaging Community to Combat Gun Violence
06:00 PM
8:00 PM
Kansas City Library | Plaza Branch: 4801 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
09
Apr
An Evening with Adam Hochschild, author of American Midnight
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
The National World War I Museum and Memorial - 2 Memorial Drive - Kansas City, Missouri
19
Mar
The Stadium Tax Debate
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
KC Library: Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St. | Truman Forum Auditorium
08
Feb
Community Film Screening: “Join or Die”
5:15 PM
7:30 PM
UPDATED LOCATION: Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center | 8788 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66212
24
Jan
Let’s Talk Politics! A Members-Only Dinner Social
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
Unity Temple on the Plaza 707 West 47th Street Kansas City, MO 64112
04
Dec
Evening at the Square 2023
5:30 PM
8:30 PM
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111
26
Oct
What the Constitution Means to Me: Discussion and Show
5:00 PM
Copaken Stage (Power & Light district): 1 H&R Block Way, Kansas City, MO 64105
14
Oct
Community Event: 2023 Bridge-Building Innovation Showcase
5:00 PM
7:30 PM
Unity Temple on the Plaza 707 West 47th Street Kansas City, MO 64112
11
Oct
Cocktails & Politics with Governor Eric Holcomb
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
Truman Presidential Library: 500 W US Hwy 24, Independence, MO 64050
26
Sep
POSTPONED: Exploring Gender and Identities
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
19
Sep
Partner Program: Yascha Mounk, Ph.D. at Park University
6:30 PM
Park University (Parkville): Jenkin and Barbara David Theater inside Alumni Hall
09
Aug
Members Event: Cocktails & Politics with Margaret Talev
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
Boulevard Brewing Co. | Brewhouse 2-Heim Room, 2501 Southwest Boulevard Kansas City, MO 64108
18
Jul
Civics Education Initiative: 2023 Educator Workshop
William Jewell College campus | Liberty, MO
11
Jul
Discussion Group: Women in Politics
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
Plexpod Westport Annex: 300 East 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111
07
Jun
25
Apr
Life and Legislation: America’s BIG Divide on Abortion
05:30 PM
7:30 PM
Kansas City Library | Plaza Branch: 4801 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
17
Apr
APS Discussion Group: Is America As Divided As It Seems?
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
The Pilgrim Chapel, 3801 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64111
21
Mar
01
Mar
01
Mar
15
Feb
26
Jan
Movie & Discussion: “Class of COVID-19”
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
Johnson County Central Resource Library, Carmack Room, 9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212
13
Dec
29
Nov
Evening at the Square 2022
5:30 PM
8:30 PM
The National World War I Museum and Memorial - 2 Memorial Drive - Kansas City, Missouri
27
Oct
Courageous Discomfort – Conversations about Race and Racism
6:30 PM
Unity Temple on the Plaza Sanctuary
25
Oct
28
Sep
27
Sep
KCMC: Exclusive Brew Launch
5:00 PM
7: 00 PM
Crane Brewing | 6515 Railroad Street | Raytown, MO 64133
13
Sep
Big Ideas. Big Challenges: What’s America’s global end game?
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
Kansas City Public Library: Plaza Branch
17
Aug
Addressing Gun Violence in Public Spaces
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
Johnson County Central Resource Library, Carmack Room, 9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212
26
Jul
24
May
28
Apr
Erasing the Red Lines
6:30 PM
8:00 PM
Kansas City Library | Plaza Branch: 4801 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
06
Apr
Protect and Serve Kansas City
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
Country Club Christian Church: 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO
22
Feb
Cocktails & Politics with Katherine Gehl
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
In-person (Members Only) and Livestream (General Public)
27
Jan
28
Oct
05
Oct
02
Sep
The Rise of Antisemitism From the Left and the Right
6:30 PM
Union Station Kansas City | Regnier Extreme Screen
04
Aug
30
Jun
26
May
19
May
29
Apr
28
Apr
28
Apr
12
Apr
08
Apr
06
Apr
31
Mar
31
Mar
25
Mar
25
Feb
E Pluribus Unum Complexities and Contradictions: The Mythical America
6:00 PM CST
7:00 PM CST
24
Feb
17
Feb
11
Feb
19
Jan
08
Dec
01
Dec
19
Nov
17
Nov
12
Nov
What the Heck Just Happened? American Public Square at Jewell Post-Election Analysis
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
Webinar via Zoom
04
Nov
27
Oct
22
Oct
Gun Violence in Missouri: Seeking Solutions
12:30 PM
1:30 PM
20
Oct
13
Oct
Evening at the Square 2020 featuring The Lincoln Project
6:30 PM
8:00 PM
30
Sep
Cocktails and Politics: Changing Dynamics of the Race – Jungle Primaries and Rank Choice Voting
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
Webinar via Zoom
24
Sep
15
Sep
11
Aug
06
Aug
30
Jul
14
Jul
30
Jun
29
Jun
24
Jun
16
Jun
15
Jun
11
Jun
08
Jun
Cocktails & Politics: Featuring Jeff Roe
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
01
Jun
18
May
14
May
04
May
29
Apr
22
Apr
The Fight for Our Future: Addressing Climate Change and Individual Responsibility
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
Webinar via Zoom
04
Nov
24
Oct
Affordable Housing: Making the Numbers Work
Kansas City, MO
25
Sep
20
Sep
09
May
04
Apr
SUSPENDED! Race and Discipline at School
Truman High School
02
Apr
The Role and Responsibility of the University of Foster Civil Dialogue
Unity Temple on the Plaza
12
Mar
Pre-K For All?
The Robert J Mohart Multipurpose FOCUS Center
28
Feb
04
Dec
Common Good: A Model for Community Engagement & Racial Equity
6:30 pm
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Conference Center
13
Nov
01
Nov
Family Dinner: How to Handle Conflict at the Thanksgiving Table
6:30 pm
Community of Christ Auditorium
23
Oct
11
Oct
One Person, No Vote? A Conversation with Carol Anderson
6:30 pm
8:00 PM
Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, Park University
25
Sep
06
Sep
08
May
Healthy Minds: Mental Health & Schools
The Ball Conference Center
02
May
Evening at the Square with David Frum
The 1900 Building
25
Apr
Metro-Area Student Debate Series, part 2
National World War 1 Museum & Memorial
19
Apr
East is East & West is West
Johnson County Library
11
Apr
“Can I Touch Your Hair?” A Discussion About Experiencing Discrimination
Miller Nichols Library, UMKC
26
Mar
13
Mar
Fake News
Unity Temple on the Plaza
01
Mar
An Evening with Deval Patrick: Reinvesting in America
Community of Christ Auditorium
15
Feb
Common Good: Interfaith Action in Response to Violence & Injustice
5:30 PM
Village Presbyterian Church
01
Feb
Insuring a Future: The ACA & American Health Care Reform
5:30 PM
Pierson Auditorium, Atterbury Student Success Center, UMKC
06
Dec
NATO: Truman to Trump
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum
09
Nov
Bad Choices. No Choices. Food Insecurity
University of Missouri Kansas City
16
Oct
The Elephant and Donkey in the Room
National World War 1 Museum and Memorial
12
Sep
22
May
09
May
01
May
19
Apr
07
Mar
21
Feb
An Eye for an Eye: Reevaluating the Death Penalty
6:00 PM
8:00 PM
Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch
07
Feb
24
Jan
Live and Learn: Neighborhoods, Education and Transformation
6:00 PM
8:00 PM
Village Presbyterian Church
17
Jan
06
Dec
Who’s Our Neighbor? A Conversation on Neighborhoods, Poverty and Race
6:00 PM
8:00 PM
Donnelly College
15
Nov
13
Oct
10
Oct
20
Sep
06
Jun
11
May
21
Apr
07
Apr
16
Mar
07
Mar
18
Feb
28
Jan
10
Dec
02
Dec
22
Oct
07
Oct