Meet Kirk Sharp
What’s your Kansas story?
I am a Kansas native, I grew up in Fort Scott. After graduating from Fort Scott High School, I attended Ottawa University and later earned both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Pittsburg State University. While I spent most of my young adult life in Kansas, my service in the United States Army took me to other states. However, no matter where I lived, I have always been and remain proud of my Kansas roots and upbringing. Kansas is an integral part of who I am
Describe what you do now. What inspires you about what you do?
I am currently the Executive Director at the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas. What inspires me most about working at the museum, is the opportunity to help promote and educate people about the legacy and life of internationally known photographer, filmmaker, writer and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness and the role of diversity in our lives. Each day that I come into work is very rewarding and I learn something new about Gordon and am in awe of his incredibly life journey and his outstanding achievements and accomplishments, all without any formal education and training. His life story is a true testament of persevering and overcoming both life and career challenges that he had to face. His story is such a great one to share with others that come to the museum. I am also inspired by the many talented artists I am fortunate to work with in photography, filmmaking, poetry, writing and music.
When you hear the word “humanities,” what comes to mind?
When I hear the word “humanities,” the first thing that comes to mind is stories, stories of people overcoming challenges, stories of history, culture, compassion, inspiration, and motivation. These stories show how we can come together for a common goal, to preserve and share these incredible stories so others can learn, see, and hear them.
Unfortunately, the humanities are sometimes overlooked, but they play a vital role in our lives. They help us better understand and appreciate literature, culture, history, the arts, and much more. Humanities helps us learn more the world and to connect with one another.
Share a memory or experience when the humanities—whether art, literature, music, or a film—deeply resonated with you or left a lasting impression?
Music is one of the first things that comes to mind. A standout moment for me was attending Presence of Absence: Gordon Parks Through an Empathic Lens at Kansas State University, presented by the Beach Museum of Art. The performance featured six-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard and the E-Collective in Concert, with staging by students from K-State and the University of Texas at Dallas under the direction of Andrew F. Scott and Matthew Gaynor. This was a wonderful mixture of music and visual art. Andrew F. Scott used some images from Gordon Parks’ photography, blending them with the sounds and rhythms of the music performance. Through his creative use of technology, he brought some of these images to life in a way I can only describe as an “Art DJ.” I felt this was an incredible method of storytelling and expression through the use of music, visual art, and creativity. The performance left a lasting impression on me.
Why do stories matter in Kansas today?
Kansas stories gives us a great opportunity to share and celebrate with not only other Kansans, but the entire nation about our unique and great history. Our Kansas stories help to shape our future. We must do our part to help preserve our culture, history and wonderful stories that impact others in positive ways. We need to continue to celebrate the impact Kansans has contributed to throughout history.
What about your community inspires you? What about Kansas inspires you?
Fort Scott has always been considered home to me. I think the thing that inspires me here in our community, is our rich history that is very vast and how the community rallies to support its endeavors and the needs of others. It’s a great place to raise a family. What also inspires me is the wonderful stories and the many people across the state of Kansas and throughout history that left a great impact and had very successful careers across the nation. Kansas is considered home to me.
What does the future of Kansas look like to you?
I think the future of Kansas is bright and can continue to be bright with the right vision and purpose to further look for creative ideas that will help to invest in the state’s economy and to aggressively look for further positive revenue opportunities that will help to support economic growth and look further in the possible increase of the expansion of future businesses and attractions throughout the state. This will help to provide opportunities for increase jobs and attract more visitors to come and visit Kansas. Also, with the continued support of the Kansas arts along with rich and great cultural and history with through projects, attractions and events.
What is a cultural attraction in Kansas that everyone should experience that is uniquely Kansas?
Without any doubt the Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott. We are so very fortunate to have this gem in our state. This is a must see along with all of the other attractions in our community. The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes and Fort Scott National Historic Site also provides a unique perspective with cultural attractions from the Unsung Heroes to the First to Serve as Fort Scott was the home base for both the 1st and 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry, other great cultural attractions also include list Kansas African American History Trail that includes Brown v. Board of Education, John Brown Museum, The Kansas African American Museum, Richard Allen Museum, John and Mary Jane Ritchie House, Nicodemus National Historic Site, Freedoms’ Frontiers, NHA and much more throughout the state of Kansas. These great cultural and historic attractions help to make our great state and unique and a wonderful place to come and visit.
What is a Kansas culinary dish or restaurant everyone should try?
Everyone should try some of the great barbeque that is located throughout the state. There are several to choose from and each one is unique and has their different brand and styles. Kansas is home to some of the best restaurants around that provide a wide range menu option, there are so many great ones to choose from small to big eateries. A lot of them are locally owned.
What are a few of your favorite reads and why?
I particularly gravitate to books that are more for historical information, context and research for learning more on certain topics. But of course, some my favorite reads are books by or inspired by Gordon Parks. Such as A Choice of Weapons, an autobiographical book by Gordon Parks.