Department Goals and Objectives

Cultural Arts

• Encourage partnerships between organizations

  • By serving as a liaison between various organizations, planning a yearly series of cultural events in advance, and combining marketing pieces for distribution that include more events and organizations, capital resources will be better utilized and reduce the number of duplications in marketing resources while promoting all the cultural attractions.

• Increase marketing and packaging the arts for cultural tourism

  • Packages that offer visitors an opportunity to visit more than one cultural attraction or event while they are in Wichita would create a wider variety of attractions being visited, expand the use of limited marketing funds, and bring greater visibility to the cultural arts in general. Based on a national study done by the Americans For The Arts, local citizens spend an average of $21.75 for cultural events. However, regional visitors spend an average of $38 on the cultural arts; a 75% increase. The goal is to market and attract more regional visitors to the various cultural attractions.

• Fund raising for arts and cultural organizations

  • Expand fund raising efforts to include all the cultural arts and attractions.

  • The Businesses for the Arts campaign promoted by the Arts Council is underway. The goal is to solicit local businesses to support the arts in exchange for building rental opportunities and various other incentives. The money raised will then be used to regrant to individual artists and organizations via the Arts Council.

• Increase the visibility and positive perception of the Arts & Cultural Division

  • Relocation of the division under the City Manager’s office offers greater visibility and credibility for the division.

CityArts

• Exhibition and Sales Galleries

• • CityArts is one of the few facilities in the region that offers local artists opportunities to display large-scale artworks, expand their sales and visibility, and participate in holding and attending workshops in various media.

  • Continue to expand the visibility of the gallery to non-art organizations through rentals and invitations.

  • Continue to expand sales in the gift gallery by offering original and creative gift items.

• Continue to pursue cost recovery

  • CityArts provides low-cost art classes to the general public. Increasing the fees from 33% - 40% will help recover the costs associated with the classes (instructors, building costs, staff costs etc). The goal is to increase the recovery rate without reduction of service to students taking classes.

  • CityArts currently offers classes to NE Magnet students, which helps with the cost recovery. Increased opportunities and participation from other public schools is being pursued.

• Expand free programming for at-risk youth

  • One of the incentives offered for the Businesses for the Arts contribution is the opportunity to sponsor 5 at risk youth for summer art camp or classes.

  • Free after school programs are currently offered for elementary and middle school students. CityArts is currently the only facility that offers these free programs that allow students the opportunity to interact with other students in their age group and explore their creativity.

• Increase rental opportunities

  • The Businesses for the Arts campaign allows non-art organizations and businesses an opportunity to use the facility and experience the amenities and ambiance offered by the facility.

• Maintenance of the public art collection

  • Maintenance of public art to protect and enhance the City’s investment continues to be a priority. Staff continues to oversee regular cleaning and maintenance of public sculpture collection.

• Increase the availability of the arts to the general public and special populations

  • CityArts currently serves special populations through a variety of art class offerings. Weekly day programs are offered on site at Heartspring (autistic population) and the Timbers (cerebral palsy). The Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) and Catholic Charities visit CityArts on a monthly basis. Currently no other program provides instruction to these groups. This service is provided free and is important in supplementing the education of these special populations.

  • Grand opening activities designed to welcome the general public and display class offerings and services available.

• Street banners

  • Ensure street banners are hung up and taken down as directed and banner brackets are maintained or replaced as needed.

The Farm & Art Market

• Maintain the plaza space.

• Schedule plaza rentals.

• Work with the Merchants of Old Town Association and SMIDD for plaza usage for Farmer’s Market.

The Old Town Plaza

• Ensure plaza space is maintained properly.

• Schedule plaza rentals.

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