The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC) has announced that Kansans may again direct all or part of their state income tax refunds to support the arts. Individuals who will receive a refund will have an “Arts Check-off” option to donate a portion of the refund to the KCAIC. The Kansas Department of Revenue will send the designated amount of the refund to the KCAIC.

 All funds that the KCAIC receives through the “Arts Check-off” will directly fund grant programs in Kansas. The KCAIC offers several programs that support arts organizations in communities across the state. Programs include Creative Economy Project Support, the Strategic Investment Program and the Arts Integration Program.

 This is the second year the “Arts Check-off” has been available to Kansans. Last year, the check-off generated $22,135 in donations from more than 2,000 taxpayers.

 The KCAIC has awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to arts organizations in Kansas. Examples of past grant awards include:

 ·         Brown Grand Theatre, $3,250

The Brown Grand Theatre is creating a program to bring diverse classical performers to north central Kansas by offering graduate music students and faculty in the state the opportunity to perform and lecture at the Brown Grand Theatre, a local nursing home and Cloud County Community College.

·         Kinsley Library Board, $2,759

Through community partnerships including the Edwards County Historical Society and USD 347, the Kinsley Public Library involved youth and adults in a community-wide discussion of the Dust Bowl Era and current water issues that affect future development of western Kansas through integrated arts programs involving history, humanities and a five day residency with visiting artist Thad Beach.

·         McPherson Museum and Arts Foundation, $2,374

The McPherson Museum and Arts Foundation hosted a six-day residency featuring Ann Birney and Joyce Thierer of Ride into History that employed theatre and storytelling techniques to interpret artistic, scientific and historical artifacts. The residency included educational activities for students and teachers, a public performance by the artists, informational tours of the museum and a talkback conducted by students for the general public.

For more information about grant recipients and programs, please visit KansasCommerce.com/CAIC.