Kansas arts advocates say the National Endowment for the Arts has restored $560,000 in arts grants to Kansas.
The announcement comes two years after the NEA pulled its funding for Kansas when Gov. Sam Brownback de-funded the state arts commission.

 

 

 

 

 

Henry Schwaller IV of  Hays is Chairman of Kansas Citizens for the Arts.

 

Schwaller told Hays Post. “Even with this outstanding news, we have much more to do. There is no guarantee of future federal matching funds, given the state’s limited investment in the arts.”

In an email message, Kansas Citizens for the Arts also said, “This is a an important event for all Kansans, particularly after the negative attention Kansas received after Governor Brownback’s efforts to completely eliminate state support and funding for the arts.

“This good news is because of the hard work of arts advocates across the state. Your constant communication with members of the Kansas Legislature – through email, phone calls and personal contact – helped reinstate arts funding.

Unfortunately, two serious issues need our attention:
Inadequate State Funding-Governor Brownback continues to push for “private” funding for the arts, and the current budget (FY 2014) for the KCAIC is only $200,000, compared to $700,000 allocated by the Kansas Legislature in 2012. If Kansas fails to provide more state support, future NEA matching funds will be cut.

Weak KCAIC Programs. Given limited funding, the KCAIC decided to focus on large regional grants instead of smaller grants that support local arts organizations. While smaller grant opportunities are available for some local arts organizations, these grants are severely limited and do not support local programs that Kansans want.
We have more work to do. “
Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission fiscal year begins October 1, 2013.