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Statement from the NEA Regarding the Kansas Arts Commission

In a contentious meeting on Tuesday, Linda Browning Weis, the chairwoman of the defunded Kansas Arts Commission, announced she'd sent a letter to the National Endowment for the Arts. Browning Weis argued the organization is still qualified to receive matching federal funds. The NEA released this statement today.

By Laura Spencer

Kansas City, Mo. – In a contentious meeting on Tuesday, Linda Browning Weis, the chairwoman of the defunded Kansas Arts Commission, announced she'd sent a letter to the National Endowment for the Arts. Browning Weis argued the organization is still qualified to receive matching federal funds. Previously, the KAC received $1.2 million in matching grants, including approximately $800,000 from the NEA.

The NEA released this statement today.

"The Kansas Arts Commission responded this week to the NEA's request for information, and the agency is currently reviewing the information that was submitted. If Kansas has an officially designated state arts agency that meets the NEA eligibility requirements for state partnership funding, the NEA will work with that entity to move forward with the FY2011 grant of $709,900 that was previously recommended for Kansas. Otherwise, Kansas will forfeit its FY2011 recommended grant."

Kansas City is known for its style of jazz, influenced by the blues, as the home of Walt Disney’s first animation studio and the headquarters of Hallmark Cards. As one of KCUR’s arts reporters, I want people here to know a wide range of arts and culture stories from across the metropolitan area. I take listeners behind the scenes and introduce them to emerging artists and organizations, as well as keep up with established institutions. Send me an email at lauras@kcur.org or follow me on Twitter @lauraspencer.
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