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Top Ten Good Reasons Why the Arts Need More State Funding in Kansas
- Nationally, half of the population participated in an arts event or arts education activity in the past year. Those that did participate were likely to attend multiple events. In fact, in FY 2004, almost 4.5 million Kansas residents and tourists benefited from Kansas Arts Commission Grants and of these attendees, over 1.6 million were youth under age 18.
- The state's investment in the arts of approximately 1.5 million in state general fund dollars has generated over 20 million dollars of economic activity.
- In Lawrence, Kansas, alone, the non-profit arts community generates over $33 million in economic activity, employs almost 1,200 full time equivalent persons and generates over $1.5 million in state revenue…and the entire state appropriation to the arts is $1.5 million!!
- Nationally, Kansas ranks 42nd in per capita funding of the arts. Kansas spends 56 cents per capita on the arts while the national average is $1.25.
- Kansas ranked last among four surrounding states in per capita funding. The higher states are: North and South Dakota, Nebraska, & Oklahoma.
- 87% of Kansans overwhelmingly approve of state support for the arts and they expressed an aggregate willingness to pay 19 million dollars more in increased taxes for a substantial increase in local arts activities.
- In Kansas, visiting arts & cultural attractions was the third most popular tourist activity, ahead of fourth ranked outdoor activities. See the new arts tourism web site at www.discoverkansasarts.com
- Local arts organizations raise almost $23 in local cash match for every $1 granted by the Kansas Arts Commission. (The national average is $8)
- In FY 2004 Arts Commission grants triggered, in local communities around the state, over $36 million in expenditures (Grants + match), involved almost 30,000 artists, involved over 23,500 volunteers, and employed approximately 896 full–time and 2,225 part–time employees.
- Outcomes measurement in our Arts in Early Education Program show improvement in all areas measured in children from birth to age five that participated in programs involving the arts.
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