Kansas Arts Commission Faces Elimination as Budget Cut Proposal Moves Forward
A major funding cut in the Kansas Legislature could lead to the dissolution of the Kansas Arts Commission, raising concerns among arts advocates, local leaders, and cultural organizations. The Kansas Senate recently approved a budget that eliminates its $1 million in state funding, effectively shutting down the agency. Unlike most state agencies, which face a 3% budget reduction, the Kansas Arts Commission is set to lose 100% of its funding, prompting questions about the decision’s broader implications.
This decision comes despite the arts and culture sector playing a $4.6 billion role in the Kansas economy, employing more than 41,000 people and accounting for 2.8% of the state’s workforce. Kansas already ranks 47th out of 50 states in public arts funding, and many fear this decision will push the state even further behind.
A Blow to Rural Communities and Local Arts
One of the biggest concerns surrounding the elimination of the Kansas Arts Commission is its potential impact on rural communities. Many smaller towns across the state rely on state arts funding to sustain programs that enhance quality of life, promote tourism, and drive local economic development. Without this financial support, local arts organizations will be forced to scale back programming or shut down entirely, particularly in communities with populations under 50,000, where access to private funding is more limited.
The Kansas Arts Commission has also served as a critical resource for local arts organizations, offering grant opportunities, management training, and professional networking. With the agency’s dissolution, organizations will lose not only financial aid but also guidance that helps them remain sustainable in the long term.
Jane Gates, Executive Director of the Stiefel Theatre and Mid-America Arts Alliance board member, emphasized the economic and cultural significance of state support for the arts.
"As the Executive Director of the Stiefel Theatre for almost 19 years, and a Mid-America Arts Alliance board member, I want to say that I see first-hand how important the Kansas Arts Commission funding is for Kansas."
Gates noted that Kansas already lags far behind neighboring states in arts investment.
"When compared to total agency funding in surrounding states, Kansas currently ranks 41st, well behind Missouri (3rd), Oklahoma (15th), and Nebraska (16th). The arts in Kansas are a major player in the economy and is a $4.6 billion industry (ahead of utilities at $3.8 billion and just behind agriculture at $5.7 billion). The arts industry is 2.21% of the state’s GDP and supports 41,643 jobs."
Beyond economic data, Gates argued that investing in the arts influences how Kansas is perceived and its ability to attract new residents.
"Sometimes you have to understand that there are reasons for supporting the arts that are difficult to quantify. Go deeper. We can talk about the number of jobs the arts provide, the economic impact (which we know first-hand at the Stiefel Theatre), but it is also the reputation we have in Kansas—the ability to attract good people to move and work here, the pride we take in our state. These things are all affected by these decisions."
She urged state leaders to reconsider the cut, saying:
"You have to trust that supporting the arts means that Kansas will continue to grow and be one of the best states to live in in the country. I would strongly encourage that Kansas look at increased support for the arts. The last thing we should do at this difficult time is take away important art funding. Surely there are other things that we can do to support economic health."
Legislative Justification for the Cut
Supporters of the budget cut argue that state programs should be subject to greater financial scrutiny and accountability. Kansas State Senator J.R. Claeys, who represents Saline County in District 24, defended the move as part of a broader effort to review government spending.
"Taxpayers deserve accountability for every dollar that is spent in state government. Zeroing out the entirety of the economic development initiatives fund was necessary to force the first review of $50 million in programs in a decade. The budget process we now conduct requires a position differing from the House, otherwise programs that have never had to justify their existence simply hide in this fund with zero scrutiny year after year."
Claeys emphasized that his goal is to eliminate wasteful spending across the board, stating that he has already made more than $200 million in budget cuts in the past two weeks.
"And I’ll keep doing it as long as the people of Saline and Dickinson County elect me to serve their interests in the Statehouse. No one gets a free pass with taxpayer money because they scream the loudest."
He also pushed back against criticism from arts advocates, arguing that all state-funded programs should be subject to regular financial review.
"Complaining about going through the same budget review that everyone else is subjected to every year demonstrates for all to see the entitlement some entities have to taxpayer money. Probably best to stop the whining and get used to being questioned on an annual basis. Taxpayers deserve that at the very least when you’re spending their money."
Balancing Fiscal Responsibility with the Value of the Arts
Brad Anderson, Executive Director of Salina Arts & Humanities, acknowledged the importance of fiscal oversight while also voicing concern about the sudden and total elimination of funding.
"I agree with Senator Claeys that fiscal responsibility regarding public funding is important for every department that receives funds. I also have high confidence in the Kansas Arts Commission to manage their budget, appropriate funds for impactful programs, and to improve the lives of Kansans who want to live in a state with strong cultural arts programs."
However, Anderson cautioned that the decision to cut funding without allowing the commission to present a full report on its impact may be premature.
"I am concerned that arbitrary cuts of this magnitude without providing the Kansas Arts Commission adequate time to fully report on the impact of funding is a mistake. Every grant recipient is required to provide written reports on the positive impact that state funding made on their projects. I did so for Artwork Alley behind the Stiefel Theatre, and I would encourage Senator Claeys to read our final report so he can learn how $10,000 in KAC funding leveraged an additional $40,000 in private and in-kind support to create nine new murals in a blighted alleyway."
A House and Senate Divide
While the Senate-approved budget eliminates Kansas Arts Commission funding entirely, the Kansas House version maintains $1 million in funding for the agency. Representative Steven K. Howe, District 71, expressed support for continued funding while also acknowledging the state’s budget challenges.
"With the State of Kansas projected to spend $600 million more than projected revenues in fiscal year 2026, Kansans are right to scrutinize the competing budget proposals. This session I supported the passage of the House Budget Bill, which contained $1 million in funding for the Kansas Arts Commission. A budget conference committee has been appointed, and they’ll work to negotiate the differences between the House and Senate positions by early next week."
Advocates Push to Save the Kansas Arts Commission
In response to the budget proposal, the Kansas Arts Network has launched an advocacy campaign urging lawmakers to reconsider. They argue that, at minimum, the Kansas Arts Commission should receive the same proportional cuts as other state agencies, rather than being eliminated entirely.
With the budget now heading to the Conference Committee, where House and Senate members will negotiate the final version, arts supporters are calling on residents to contact their legislators. The goal is to preserve the Kansas Arts Commission and maintain funding that supports local arts, economic development, and cultural programs across the state.
The decision on the commission’s fate will shape the future of arts programming in Kansas for years to come. Whether the agency will continue operating or become another casualty of budget cuts now rests in the hands of state lawmakers.