Kansas Arts Commission Awards $1.3 Million in Grants

Sedgwick County commissioners are exploring a proposal to fund arts and culture services through a one-eighth-cent sales tax, aiming to alleviate the burden of property taxes while ensuring continued support for community programs. Commissioner Jim Howell advocates for this plan, emphasizing that property taxes should prioritize core government functions, and believes the sales tax could generate more revenue as the economy grows. Concurrently, the Kansas Arts Commission has announced $1,295,450 in grants to 108 recipients to support diverse arts projects across 42 counties, reinforcing the state's commitment to enriching community life through strategic investments in the arts. Lieutenant Governor David Toland highlighted that art and culture contribute 2.2% to Kansas's economy, creating over 41,000 jobs. The grants include various types such as the Arts Everywhere Grant and the Public Art and Murals Grant, which support a wide range of artistic endeavors. Funding for these grants comes from the Kansas Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.