TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas will be overhauling its state arts agency this summer, but funding for arts programs remains uncertain.
Kansas Citizens for the Arts spokeswoman Sarah Carkhuff Fizell said Saturday funding remains the key issue as the state prepares to merge its Arts and Film Services commissions on July 1.
Gov. Sam Brownback proposed the merger and signed a bill enacting it this week. It will create a new Creative Arts Industries Commission to focus on creating new arts-related jobs within the state Department of Commerce.
House and Senate negotiators were working Saturday on budget issues. Both chambers have agreed to provide $700,000 to the new commission, but Brownback proposed only $200,000.
Brownback pushed the merger after vetoing all of the Arts Commission’s state funding last year.
