Division of Arts and Cultural Services
Board Staff Support
What are the three advisory boards and how do they interact with the Arts and Culture Division?
There are three advisory boards that are provided space for meetings and events at CityArts because of their advisory connection to the City. The Division of Arts and Cultural Services provides staff support for all. They are:
Formed in 1998 as the Public Art and Advisory Board (PAAB) it was re-named the Design Council in 2000. The Design Council is a body of fifteen volunteer design professionals who advises the City Council and City Manager on aesthetic matters related to capital improvement projects and other public improvements. The City Council and City Manager, wishing to improve the aesthetic qualities of the urban environment created this team by city ordinance to advise them as aesthetic matters and methods of accomplishing a more beautiful city. They review all public projects that have an aesthetic impact or public art included in them for the City. They make recommendations to the City Council, who has final approval. The Design Council does not distribute or handle any funds.
The Arts Council was originally formed as The Wichita Fine Arts Council by a city ordinance in 1966. It was housed under the Community Arts office, which administered arts operations for the city. Its purpose was to support the arts in Wichita and make them more accessible to citizens.
In May of 1983, after the closing of the Community Arts Office, the Arts Council assumed 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation status. They changed their name to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Arts and Humanities Council.
In 1994, the City and the Arts Council commissioned the Community Cultural Plan which was approved by the City Council and they were officially designated as the organization to carry out the Plan. The current organization is operated by a 25 member Board of Directors and has changed its name to the Arts Council in order to encompass a broader service area and variety of activities.
They also sponsor the Art Gallery and gift shop at CityArts. A majority of Arts Council programs take place at the CityArts facility with their connection to the City as an advisory group, but they do not have any office space there but do use it as their mailing address.
The Arts and Cultural Division staff provide office support for the Arts Council as they direct all their funds to grants and programming. This is understood by a City agreement between the Arts Council and the Division of Arts and Culture.
On Thursday, July 29th 1999, the Art Advisory Committee met with the purpose of creating a strategic plan for the future of arts and culture in Wichita. Representatives from nearly all major Wichita/Sedgwick County arts and cultural representatives were present. The joint facilitation was designed as an open forum where all attendants could openly converse about this subject. Their mission statement is:
"To assist and advise the Arts Council in the leadership and coordination of community cultural resources for the purpose of advancing the arts and culture in Wichita/Sedgwick County."
This group is asked to meet when input form all the organizations is needed on major issues concerning arts and culture in Wichita.
Back to Top