arts funding

In 2011, Kansas made headlines by eliminating all public funding for the arts. That meant the state no longer qualified for federal matching grants of more than $1 million.

On this Wednesday's Central Standard, how a group of Kansas City artists are putting an end to that whole starving artist thing.

Joining us is Andrew Erdrich, Sean Starowitz and Erin Olm-Shipman for BREAD KC!, a group that raises the unleavened bread of artists through microgrants from community dinners. We'll hear how the easiest grant process ever has helped launch innovative new works in our community.

Two national studies released Thursday in Kansas City provide an overview of the arts ecology of the metropolitan area. By all accounts, the arts boosted the local economy despite the economic downturn.

Governor Sam Brownback yesterday signed the bill to create a new Kansas Creative Industries Commission. This commission merges the Kansas Arts Commission with the Kansas Film Commission.

On the second half of this Thursday's Central Standard, meet energetic lead-singer Alicia Solo. Her hip-thrusts and dance moves have sent her home with cuts, bruises and chipped teeth.

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback recently proposed restoring some funding for the state arts commission. Last year, Brownback withdrew all funding, making Kansas the first to end state funding for the arts. 

The Governor’s proposal calls for merging the Kansas Arts Commission and Kansas Film Commission into a new Creative Industries Commission under the Department of Commerce. The combined budget: $200,000.

Governor Sam Brownback’s budget proposal would reinstate some funding for arts programs, but would do away with the Kansas Arts Commission. The Kansas Film Commission and Arts Commission would be combined to become the Kansas Creative Industries Commission.

The governor’s budget would provide $200,000 to the new organization. State Budget Director Steve Anderson says that money would be available for arts programs that create economic development.

Arts advocates are renewing their call for the governor and Legislature to restore state funding to the Kansas Arts Commission.

The National Endowment for the Arts, or NEA, says the Kansas Arts Commission is not eligible to receive federal matching funds.

By Stephen Koranda/KPR

Topeka, Kan. – The National Endowment for the Arts, or NEA, says the Kansas Arts Commission is not eligible to receive federal matching funds. That comes after Governor Sam Brownback vetoed the agency's budget earlier this year. As KPR's Stephen Koranda tells us, the governor wants private donations to fund the arts in Kansas.

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

There was heated discussion on Tuesday at the meeting of the Kansas Arts Commission. The conflict was over how the state agency will work with a new private foundation that will raise money for arts programs in Kansas.

By Stephen Koranda/KPR

Kansas City, Mo. – There was heated discussion on Tuesday at the meeting of the Kansas Arts Commission. The conflict was over how the state agency will work with a new private foundation that will raise money for arts programs in Kansas.