The Quad

BkMk Press has announced that Stephanie Powell Watts of Lehigh University has been nominated for the 2012 Chautauqua Prize for her collection of short fiction, We Are Taking Only What We Need published by BkMk Press in 2011. Watts is eligible to receive a $7,500 cash prize and paid expenses for a one-week residency at Chautauqua Institution in western New York. In its first year offering a national prize, the Chautauqua Institution will reward an author for his or her significant contribution to the literary arts. For more about the collection see:

• http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-886157-79-8

UMKC Theatre presents its final production of the season.  Directed by Barry Kyle, “The Winter’s Tale” will preview April 20 and open April 24 in the Spencer Theatre, Olson,PAC. Tickets will be on sale at the Central Ticket Office (816) 235-6222. See:

• http://umkctheatre.org/winters_home.html.

UMKC officials announced a $300,000 planned gift from Theodore Seligson, Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) and visiting professor in the Department of Architecture, Urban Planning + Design on March 21, 2012.  The gift will supplement The Seligson Fund that was established in 2010 in Seligson’s honor by his friends and colleagues.  The purpose of the fund is to enhance the education of the design disciplines in the department and to provide financial assistance for projects that support its mission, including lectures, colloquiums and visiting design teachers.  For more see:

• http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/21/3505504/umkc-urban-planning-school-receives.html.