Wichita council awards $143,300 in arts grants to 17 nonprofits

The Wichita City Council approved $143,300 in arts and culture grants to 17 local nonprofits at its Tuesday, Oct. 20 meeting.

The grants, part of the city's FY2027 Cultural Funding Operational Grants program, ranged from $15,000 for KMUW and PBS Kansas down to $2,000 for the Wichita Chamber Chorale. The Cultural Funding Committee evaluated applications based on alignment with the city's 2024-2028 Cultural Arts Strategic Plan, organizational quality, financial stability and community impact, according to a city announcement.

Lindsay Benacka, director of Arts and Cultural Services, said the grants confirm "the City's longstanding commitment to investing in the arts and culture ecosystem in Wichita and the important role it plays in economic development and enhancing the quality of life and well-being of residents and visitors."

All 17 awards announced for FY2027 fall within the Cultural Partner tier. They total $143,300, down $3,200, or about 2.2%, from the $146,500 awarded to Cultural Partners for FY2026. Last year’s broader $497,500 allocation also included Cultural Anchors and Cultural Institutions, which operate under different renewal arrangements.

Recipients span performing arts, museums, youth programs and cultural organizations. Here is the full list:

Applications for the FY2027 grants opened May 15 and closed Aug. 3. Eligible organizations had to be 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on producing, presenting or preserving arts and culture in Wichita. The Cultural Funding Committee reviewed applications and made funding recommendations to the council.

The city's proposed FY2027 budget allocates $8.7 million for the Arts and Cultural Services division, up from $7.4 million adopted in FY2026, according to city budget documents. That broader figure covers salaries, facilities and other division costs beyond the grant program.

Residents can find more information about the city's cultural arts funding at Wichita.gov/Arts.