Administrative BriefCOMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
VOL. 16, NO. 34
November 4, 1994
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM MARTHA RHE,~
This past October 20-22, the Salina Arts and Humanities held its annual retreat. This year
the topic was the newly allocated $30,000 from the City, and the process of exploring
organizational needs and developing a grants category in response. Bill Keens of Keens
Company, a nationally recognized arts consulting and planning firm, facilitated the retreat and
the information gathering the two days prior. The time was most productive.
Bill met with several "walk-about" groups of Horizons Grants recipients from, both Special
Project and Developing Artist categories, on their own turf: at the Salina Art Center, the
Salina Community Theatre and the Bluestem Gallery. He was interested in talking with the
participants about past experiences with the grants program and ideas/needs regarding the
new category. He also met with the City Manager. His "fact finding" stage culminated with
an informal exchange, hosted by Arts and Humanities Commissioners, of staff and board
members from several cultural organizations, plus the Steering Committee of Horizons 50,
the group that supports the Horizons Grants Program. Then on Saturday, Bill conducted a
day-long retreat with Arts and Humanities Commissioners at K-State, Salina. (Pete can tell
you all about it.) After initial "vision" work to provide a context for the day's activities, the
Commission began to review the gathered information.
The resulting basic indicators form the foundation for shaping the new grants category and
are listed below. Keep in mind that these indicators provide for strategic use of the $30,000
in a manner that helps organizations intervene on critical cultural issues. This kind of
approach addresses two concerns expressed by City Commissioners during the budget
process: only a few organizations having access to the new money and creating a situation of
"coming to the trough", without measurable accountability.
Change oriented, associated with long-term viability, putting a floor under
organizations. "Sustainability" was a word often used.
New ways of using a building on existing resources. "Collaborations" was a word
often used.
Connecting more completely with community, i.e., involving new and different
audiences/constituencies in deeper ways.
Applicant organization with clear sense of mission and good track record of
leadership/direction.
Proposal that is realistic in scope and complexity, and shows evidence of forethought
and planning.
Possibility of multi-year proposals, and ability to access larger dollar amounts than
currently can.
-over-
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The Arts and Humanities Commission plans to have guidelines and applications (easy to
follow and simple to fill out!) ready by the end of the year. Also, the Commission is well
aware that this kind of commitment toward long-term change means building intentional
partnerships with applicant organizations, with on-going give and take that recognizes and
supports our common goal of community development through the use of cultural
resources.
MONDAY'S MEETING
1. Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has any questions or cannot
attend the meeting, please contact me.
2. Let's begin our study session at 2:00 p.m. An agenda is enclosed.
Dennis Kissinger
City Manager