POSTED: APRIL 8TH, 2013

LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE

The Kansas Legislature completed the regular session on Friday and will be on break until May. Legislators adjourned without reaching a final agreement on the budget and taxes.

House budget negotiators accepted the Senate's position on arts funding that adds language to directs any remaining - or unspent - funds for the Creative Arts Industries Commission that was appropriated for FY 2013 to be reappropriated for FY 2014. The House did not consider the language in their version of the budget. Since the House has accepted the Senate's position, the Senate's language will be added in the final version of the negotiated budget bill.

Once the final negotiated budget bill is crafted it will be sent to both chambers for a vote of approval. However, this vote will not take place until the legislators return in May. Also since there is still no agreement in the major tax plan it is uncertain how that will impact the overall budget picture. As of now it is a waiting game until May to see the final decision.

________________________________________________________________________________

POSTED: APRIL 4TH, 2013

UPDATE: STATE BUDGET

The Kansas Legislature is expected to provide only $200,000 in new money for the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission for the coming fiscal year. Approximately half of the $200,000 will cover administrative costs. This means that only $100,000 will be left for grants and programs - including businesses and not-for-profit arts organizations - that have an impact on "economic development."

Just three years ago, the state of Kansas was committed to serving hundreds of community and education based arts programs. But no more.

Only you can change the direction of the state of the arts - and only if you speak up.

A Call To Action:

Attend one of the upcoming Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission's strategic planning meetings.

Tell them what you and your community needs from a state arts agency:

• Adequate funding for arts programs throughout the state - providing incentives for private and local government support.

• Professional development programs for Kansas artists, arts organizations and schools so that they may serve people of all ages in all communities.

• Frequent communication so that Kansans are informed of the commission's activities and programs.

Input from these meetings will be used to create a state arts plan, and this information will be shared with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Your voice is crucial!

________________________________________________________________________________

POSTED: MARCH 29TH, 2013

KCAIC STRATEGIC PLAN REGISTRATION LINK

Click here to register for a Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission Strategic Planning Public Input Session