In his first foray as governor, Sam Brownback has proposed the Kansas Arts Commission be eliminated.
Instead, it should become a private function, for which Brownback has suggested a $200,000 send-off.
At first glance, the move seems prudent. Many consider the arts nonessential, if not draining to an economy.
TRUTH IS, the arts are big business for Kansas and support the livelihood of 37,000 people across the state.
Kansas, in fact, is known as a cottage industry of artistic talent, particularly photography, painting and textile arts such as weaving. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, Kansas leads the nation in these talents, which translate to higher paying jobs and more diversified communities that attract tourists, who in turn generate higher sales tax revenues.
So the tradeoff in eliminating a $574,642 item in a $13 billion budget, is the loss of thousands of jobs and millions in funds generated by the culture industry.
But wait, the loss goes deeper.
Dissolving the Kansas Arts Commission also cuts federal funds through the NEA and from the Mid-America Arts Alliance.
The federal program matches state funds 1-to-1. Last year that meant $574,642 to the KAC bottom line; and $800,000 to the state as a whole.
That money will not be available to Kansas — but will certainly flow to some other state — if the arts commission is dissolved. By federal statute, NEA funds for programs can be transferred only through an officially designated state arts agency and cannot be used to supplant nonfederal funding. This means that states may not use federal dollars with the intention or effect of reducing state funding for a state arts agency.
Likewise, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, which provided more than $300,000 in grants and services to Kansas this year, insists the state have a bonafide arts agency to receive its assistance.
So, Brownback’s solution to turn the state agency into a not-for-profit essentially sinks the entire program, taking with it thousands of jobs and hundreds of thousands in grants. Not exactly a track for economic growth.
SO LET’S see how eliminating the KAC would affect us here in the hinterlands.
A glance at events sponsored at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center showed that this year alone, five programs were supported by KAC funding; all of which included programs for area students.
The upcoming Lyric Arts Trio, for example, will be brought to the Bowlus in part through a $1,000 grant from the arts commission. The classical music chamber ensemble consists of clarinet, soprano voice and piano. Besides their Jan. 28 evening performance for the general public, the artists will perform for and talk with students at all three middle schools in Allen County.
The state agency provides about 40 percent of the costs to bring such talent to Allen County through Arts on Tour grants. The funds also cover performers’ hotel and food bills. The rest is funded through the NEA and private donations. All performances are free to the public.
This year, the Bowlus received $15,740 from the KAC; about half of what it got in better days just a few years back.
“It’s not a lot,” said Susan Raines, executive director of the Bowlus. “But then again, it makes all the difference as to what we can offer.”
For the Iola Community Theatre, the KAC contribution of almost $2,000 is its lifeline.
“Every penny counts,” said ICT president Dee Sell of the funds that allow the small-scale theater to survive.
MUSIC, art, literature — these are all areas where the mind learns to expand. Where people learn to express themselves. Which makes mankind civilized.
Contact your state legislator today. Tell him the tradeoff to elimination of the Kansas Arts Commission isn’t worth the loss to you, your community or your state.
— Susan Lynn
