Arts Under Attack with New Kansas Funding

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An advocacy group’s leader is warning that Kansas is likely to lose its federal arts dollars early next year because the state isn’t providing enough funding for arts programs.

Kansas Citizens for the Arts Chairman Henry Schwaller IV said Tuesday that he expects the National Endowment for the Arts to withhold about $591,000 it had planned to send the state.

An NEA official told state officials in a September letter that Kansas must boost funding for its Creative Arts Industries Commission by nearly $225,000 to get the federal dollars. Schwaller is a commission member.

The NEA’s letter told the state it has until Jan. 15. That’s four days after the Legislature convenes its next annual session.

Schwaller said he’s not expecting Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration to find the additional funds.