Officials move to form Hispanic committee for museum renovation

City commissioners tour Smoky Hill Museum to assess space needs

Cultural organizations report record Match Madness fundraising

Local arts sector threatened by potential state budget cuts

Public input sought for city's new cultural plan

Salina selected for statewide music-focused cohort program

Fire station public art project heads to city commission

Board unanimously approves new public sculpture placements

Upcoming eco-art events set to engage community

Annual poetry series returns to Red Fern Booksellers

Officials move to form Hispanic committee for museum renovation

SALINA, Kan. - Local leaders are working to establish a Hispanic committee for the Smoky Hill Museum following a recent outreach meeting conducted entirely in Spanish. Officials noted that the Hispanic demographic is the county's largest minority population, making their input vital as the museum enters the early stages of a major gallery renovation. The committee will help ensure the community's voice and legacy are accurately represented in Salina's historical narrative.

City commissioners tour Smoky Hill Museum to assess space needs

SALINA, Kan. - A recent city commission tour of the Smoky Hill Museum's basement highlighted the facility's pressing need for additional storage and exhibit space. Museum staff presented a timeline for potential facility expansion, demonstrating that the only empty shelves in the archives exist because those items are currently on display. The presentation was reportedly received positively, setting the stage for future funding discussions ahead of the 2027 city budget.

Cultural organizations report record Match Madness fundraising

SALINA, Kan. - Local cultural organizations reported highly successful fundraising numbers during the recent Match Madness event. The Smoky Hill Museum raised nearly $6,000 from 58 donors, marking its best year in the event's history. Meanwhile, Salina Arts and Humanities and the Smoky Hill River Festival Legacy Fund brought in nearly $16,000, placing the arts division in the top 20 of the 108 participating local agencies.

Local arts sector threatened by potential state budget cuts

SALINA, Kan. - Local arts advocates are raising alarms after the Kansas State Senate advanced a budget that zeroes out funding for the Kansas Arts Commission for 2027. Advocates urged residents to contact their state legislators, as the cuts would eliminate critical operational support for local staples like the Stiefel Theatre, Salina Symphony and Salina Community Theatre. Officials warned that losing the state commission would also severely limit the city's ability to leverage regional and federal matching grant funds.

Public input sought for city's new cultural plan

SALINA, Kan. - Consultants from Keen Independent Research will visit Salina April 6-7 to gather public input for the city's upcoming cultural plan. A public engagement session is scheduled for April 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Temple, a venue in downtown Salina, featuring interactive stations for residents to share their priorities. A community-wide digital survey will also launch in early April and remain open through the Smoky Hill River Festival to capture a broad, demographically equitable response.

Salina selected for statewide music-focused cohort program

SALINA, Kan. - Salina has been selected as one of six to eight Kansas communities to participate in a statewide music-focused cohort program. The yearlong initiative aims to evaluate and support the local music ecosystem, including musicians, venues and educators. The program could culminate in a $5,000 matching grant for a local pilot project, and the data gathered will help inform the city's broader cultural planning efforts.

Fire station public art project heads to city commission

SALINA, Kan. - The Salina City Commission is scheduled to review the installation plans for the new fire station public art project on April 13. The project, led by artists Ann Zerger and Chip Parker, requires ongoing coordination with city contractors to install ground lighting for the 16-foot ceramic pieces. In addition to the installation, the artists are planning an August workshop with the local YMCA to engage up to 90 local youths in the artistic process.

Board unanimously approves new public sculpture placements

SALINA, Kan. - The board unanimously approved the permanent placement of two People's Choice sculptures in local parks. The 2022 winner, "Clarence the Catfish," will be installed on a new concrete slab near a pedestrian bridge in Oakdale Park. Additionally, the 2025 People's Choice winner, "Mr Hatter's Pursuits in Becoming Human: 006 Fisherman at Fall River," was officially purchased for $6,000 and will be placed along Riverside Drive near Lakewood Middle School.

Upcoming eco-art events set to engage community

SALINA, Kan. - Ahead of this year's festival season, local officials announced opportunities for residents to engage in environmental art. Renowned chalk artist David Zinn will return to Salina to visit local schools in the days leading up to a community chocolate-themed event.

Annual poetry series returns to Red Fern Booksellers

SALINA, Kan. - Salina Arts and Humanities will host its annual poetry series at Red Fern Booksellers across four Tuesdays this April. The events will feature readings from regional poets, including Adam Scheffler, Luisa Muradyan, Jennifer Maritza McCauley and Allison Blevins. Readings will take place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a $5 admission fee that is waived for students with a valid ID.

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