Kansas’s Governor Sam Brownback has signed an executive order to eliminate the Kansas Arts Commission.  In his plan the Kansas Historical Society will be responsible for carrying out arts programs, and a private foundation will be formed.  This will go into effect on July 1, 2011, unless the order is overturned by the Kansas legislature.  This plan is bad for Kansas and bad for the arts.  Please join me in advocating for keeping the Kansas Arts Commission as it is, at the current level of funding. Here are some helpful links:

Kansas Arts Commission: The KAC provides opportunities for the people of Kansas to experience, celebrate and value the arts throughout their lives. The KAC provides the arts to the people of Kansas through grants, professional development programs and leadership initiatives.

Kansas Citizens for the Arts: This new grassroots organization provides statewide leadership in promoting the interests of the citizens of Kansas in advocacy, funding and education for the arts. At this website you will find information and links to help you participate in advocating for the Kansas Arts Commission.

Imagine Kansas Without Art: A grassroots effort to rally support for the arts in Kansas by imagining what Kansas would be like without art.

“Life Implicates Art,” an essay about how to re-think arts advocacy by Arlene Goldbard