State of Stories was a series of free public programs produced in partnership with the University of Missouri Extension’s Community Arts Program to commemorate the Missouri Bicentennial. Funding for these programs was provided by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the William T. Kemper Foundation—Commerce Bank, Trustee, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
A cornerstone of State of Stories programming was an oral storytelling component, a series of four performances and workshops by master Missouri storytellers. Performances at various MCPL branches entertained and educated audiences of all ages and represented traditions from across the state. Workshops helped emerging storytellers develop skills and techniques for researching and telling historical stories. Facilitated by Kansas City-based storyteller Joyce Slater, participants completing the sequence of workshops had the opportunity to tell a five to seven-minute story as part of the state Bicentennial celebration in August 2021.
State of Stories Program Evaluation
If you have attended a program that is part of the State of Stories series, please let us know what you think by filling out our State of Stories Program Evaluation. Your feedback is integral to continuing to provide high-quality programs.
State of Stories Program Archive
Watch select State of Stories programs on MCPL’s YouTube channel.