“The Kansas Arts Commission is enthusiastic about being a part of our statehood commemoration,” said John Divine, chairman of the Kansas Arts Commission. “These events across the state not only recognize Kansas’ sesquicentennial, but also the talented artists that call Kansas home.”

Grant recipients and sponsored activities are:

• Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg, $800 to support an exhibition featuring Kansas landscapes by Kansas artist Birger Sandzen.
• Bowlus Fine Arts Cultural Center Trust, Iola, $1,000 to support an afternoon school concert and evening public performance by chamber ensemble Lyric Arts Trio featuring music by Kansas composer Robert Pherigo.
• The Depot Theater Company, Dodge City, $1,000 to support a performance featuring three Kansas artists: Ida Ellen Cox Rath (author), James King (tenor) and David A.R. White (actor and producer).
• Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum Inc., Topeka, $1,000 to support an exhibition and educational programs featuring the works of Kansas artist David Hicks Overmyer.
• Hays Arts Council Inc., Hays, $1,000 to support an exhibition entitled Prairie on Fire featuring works by Kansas artist Louis Copt.
• Hutchinson's Historic Fox Theatre Inc., Hutchinson, $1,000 to support Montana Repertory Theatre’s presentation of Kansas playwright William Inge’s Bus Stop followed by post-performance discussion and workshop for local theatre/drama students and the public.
• Imago Dei: Friends of Christianity & the Arts, Kansas City, Kan., $1,000 to support a theatrical performance of Franklin written by Kansas playwright Lori Lee Triplett.
• Kansas City Chamber Orchestra Inc., Prairie Village, $1,000 to support one public and one school concert featuring music by Kansas composer Jean Belmont Ford.
• Kansas Music Educators Association, Wichita, $1,000 to support a concert of an original composition by Kansas composer Dr. John Leavitt.
• Kansas State University, Beach Museum of Art, Manhattan, $1,000 to support an exhibition featuring photographs by Kansas artist George Kren.
• Lawrence Art Guild Association, Lawrence, $1,000 to support a reception and exhibition featuring Kansas artist Robert Ault.
• Lawrence Arts Center Inc., Lawrence, $1,000 to support an exhibition of prints by four notable charter members of the Kansas-based Prairie Print Makers – Birger Sandzen, Herschel Logan, Norma Bassett Hall and C.A. Seward.
• Lawrence Children's Choir, Inc., Lawrence, $1,000 to support a concert conducted and arranged by Kansas choir director Janeal Krehbiel.
• Manhattan Arts Center, Inc., Manhattan, $1,000 to support an exhibition of Kansas watercolors by Margaret Buie and the ceramics of Gene Sievers, both Kansas artists.
• Newton Fine Arts Association, Newton, $1,000 to support an exhibition featuring Kansas artist Albert Krehbiel.
• Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra Association Inc., North Newton, $1,000 to support a concert featuring the music by Kansas composer Gary Fletcher.
• Ottawa Suzuki Strings Inc., Ottawa, $1,000 to support a concert of music by Kansas composer Charles Hoag, featuring a work commissioned for the occasion.
• Southwest Kansas Live on Stage, Garden City, $1,000 to support a concert featuring music of Kansas jazz musician and educator Frank Mantooth.
• Topeka Symphony Society, Topeka, $1,000 to support two, school day concerts, a family matinee and an evening subscription concert featuring music by Kansas composers Charles Hoag and Kirke Mechem.
• University of Kansas Center for Research Inc. (Lied Center), Lawrence, $1,000 to support Montana Repertory Theatre’s presentation of Kansas playwright William Inge’s Bus Stop and masterclass for KU theatre students.
• Youth Symphony Association of Kansas City Inc., Mission, $1,000 to support a concert featuring Fanfare by Kansas composer Mara Gibson

Only Kansas arts and cultural nonprofit organizations and government agencies receiving Fiscal Year 2011 Operational Support grants were eligible for the program, with funding awarded up to $1,000 per organization and matched 1:1. The program is sponsored by the Kansas Arts Commission, along with the National Endowment for the Arts’s American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of American Genius.

A special thank you to the Kansas Historical Society for spearheading the Kansas 150 celebration. For more information on the Kansas sesquicentennial celebration, visit http://ks150.org.

 The Kansas Arts Commission is a state agency, funded by the State of Kansas and the National Endowment for the Arts, dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts in Kansas. Its mission is to provide opportunities for the people of Kansas to experience, celebrate and value the arts throughout their lives. For more information on the Kansas Arts Commission, please visit the KAC website at http://arts.ks.gov.