Below, a call for help from artist-activist Dave Loewenstein. The future of the arts in Kansas is far from secure! Please do your part to help.
Artists, Educators, Arts Advocates, and Arts Administrators,
The future of public support for the arts in Kansas is in jeopardy. Your action is needed now.
In order for Kansas to receive funding in FY14 (July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014) from the National Endowment for the Arts and Mid-America Arts Alliance, the Dept. of Commerce must submit an partnership application to the NEA by October 1st. If they do not, Kansas will not be eligible for this funding until FY15 at the earliest. We must demand that Secretary of Commerce, Pat George, submit this application by October 1st.
There is a second problem. Although the legislature appropriated $700,000, there has been no plan given or public accounting for how these funds have been or will be used. We must demand an accounting for these funds and insure that a large portion is going to non-profit arts programs around the state. If these newly appropriated funds are not used for arts programs, the governor and others may site this inaction as cause to move the funds to another agency and kill the possibility of renewing public support for the arts in the foreseeable future.
Please contact Secretary of Commerce, Pat George, immediately and urge him to:
1) Submit the partnership application to the NEA by October 1st.
2) Account for the $700,000 appropriated by the legislature for the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission in the current fiscal year. Demand that it be used for non-profit arts programs.
Secretary of Commerce Pat George
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email –
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Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66612Thank you,
Dave Loewenstein
The Feminist Art Project, Kansas Chapter 