ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

A local arts center was among 92 projects in 34 counties sharing in a pot of $750,000 in grants from the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC).

Known as “The Oasis on the Prairie,” Liberal’s Baker Arts Center received $9,500 in grant money from the arts commission, and Director Misty Martin said the money will be used for the center’s operations budget.

“Between November and now, we’ve grown a lot, and in order to maintain this pace we’ve set and the activities we’re providing to the community, that takes funds,” she said. “One of the things we needed was operational funds, and we’re able to do that with those funds this year.”

Martin said the money is both beneficial and helpful to Baker Arts.

“It allows us to be able to provide things for the community, for our students, for our adults, for our classes we have here, events we have here,” she said. “It gives space for people to learn, space for people to experience things.”

Announcement of the grants came at a recent KAC conference in Wichita, and Martin said those from Baker and the other projects from across the state were opened to learn some of the things they could do with the money.

“Sydnee Tibbetts  and I both attended that conference in Wichita, and it was three days,” she said. “They not only granted us the funds, but they laid out the framework for us to be able to sit in and get some ideas of how to operate things at Baker or ideas to try something new for classes or how to navigate different things in the community.”

Martin said the funding will make a huge difference, particularly when it comes to being able to have the funds to do what Baker Arts does, including classes offered at the center, and it likewise makes sure staff is in place for those activities.

“We have extremely talented staff here,” she said. “I cannot speak highly enough of the staff we have here, and the operational budget helps us to maintain that quality staff in a way they can teach classes. I can call on them in an instant to be able to put together a class or put together an event or handle a party for somebody, and it’s because we have access to funds to be able to take care of our staff.”

Martin said some of the recent activities the center has been doing caught the eyes of state art leaders, and she feels this is part of why Baker Arts was chosen as one of the projects to receive funding.

“Baker has been really growing,” she said. “We’ve been working really hard to be a highlight for the community, and I think communities need things like that. I think that is something whenever you do ask for a grant, there needs to be an awareness of what kind of impact we’ll make, and I think the impact we’re making in the community is one that is helpful to people of all ages.”

Martin said having the KAC funding frees up some of the rest of the Baker budget for other use.

“Having a grant like this is helpful because it allows us to not have to worry about how to distribute other funds,” she said. “We have these specifically for the things we have coming up.”

Overall, Martin said Baker Arts officials are very thankful for the money received from the state.

“We love what we do here,” she said. “We’re thankful for the funding and the help we get to do that.”

Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said the funding for all 92 projects reinforces the commission’s role as a catalyst for economic development and community vitality through arts and culture.

“In Kansas, when we invest in the arts, there is a direct, positive impact on the economy of the state,” he said. “The arts shape the unique character of Kansas, and these awards are a way to help communities harness the power of the arts to enrich local identity, encourage innovation and drive economic growth.”

The $750,000 awarded this year will be invested in the arts programs of non-profit organizations, local governments and colleges and universities across the state through Kansas Arts Commission’s General Operating Support, Public Art and Mural and Arts Everywhere project grants.

Awarded organizations are required to provide at least a dollar-for-dollar investment match.

“Across Kansas, artists and art organizations are continuously strengthening the fibers of our communities,” Kansas Arts Commission Chair Sarah Fizell said. “By investing in the arts we’re able to make huge impacts across the state — it’s alleviating stress and loneliness, activating public spaces, connecting communities and improving health outcomes.”

Funding for the grants comes from an annual appropriation from the Kansas Legislature and federal support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

“Kansas artists and organizations that are providing arts and cultural programming continue to demonstrate that culture is essential community infrastructure,” Kansas Arts Commission Director Curtis Young said. “Every dollar we invest into the arts here in Kansas generates significant returns when it comes to spurring economic activity, increasing civic engagement and building healthier communities.”