A budget compromise in Topeka has arts supporters hopeful that the state will restore some arts funding. The Kansas House and Senate are debating a budget proposal today (FRI) that includes $500,000 more for the arts than recommended by Governor Sam Brownback. But the funding could face a challenge from Brownback, who completely vetoed arts funding last year. Sarah Fizell (FIH-zell) is spokesperson for the group Kansas Citizens for the Arts. She hopes the funding is a compromise Brownback could support.
When Brownback did away with state-funded arts last year, he said private money -- not tax dollars -- should support the arts. His decision made Kansas the only state in the nation to eliminate state support for the arts. This year, the governor proposed $200,000 for a new Creative Industries Commission, which would take over the Arts Commission and Kansas Film Commission.