The Kansas Arts Commission previously provided the state funding for arts. Many community arts programs were able to thrive because of grants provided by the Kansas Arts Commission. Now, however, there is no money from the state at all. Community theaters, choirs, and art exhibits are beginning to struggle, and are having to scrape money through other means.
I think this is grossly unfair. Community art programs benefit everyone involved, and bring money into the state. I think that by cutting the Kansas Arts Commission, Brownback has unintentionally ruined the happiness of many people.
Maybe that’s an extreme thing to say, but I think it’s true. Without the funding the state provides, many community programs will simply have to close down for lack of money. This means that children will lose the opportunity to perform, make and see art. They will lose that chance to participate in something they truly love.
I firmly believe that art, in any form, only positively impacts us. It has a power to make us take a step back from everything, stop, and think for a moment. Art portrays life either as we see it, or how we want it to be. That’s the beauty of art. There are no rules, and no consequences. It is simply human.
While Brownback may have had good intentions in cutting the Kansas Arts Commission; supposedly it saves money, the reality is not that great. People are having to pay more than they ever have before, with less result. Children are not getting the opportunities they need to succeed, and the community is left worse for the wear. Do everyone a favor Brownback, and bring back the Kansas Arts Commission. Arts are way more important to the community than you give them credit for.