We are artists, arts leaders, arts supporters and community members who care about the future of the state of Kansas. We believe that the arts are vital to our state and were dismayed when Governor Brownback first defunded and then dismantled the Kansas Arts Commission, which had served our state well for 45 years.

State funding for the arts and film is now $200,000 -- the same amount the film commission alone received in 2011 --and the Governor has demonstrated that he neither values nor understands the importance of the arts to Kansans, to children, to our communities and to our lives.

We support Paul Davis and Jill Docking for Governor and Lt. Governor. They will ensure that the arts are funded, will reestablish the Kansas Arts Commission and will support and honor the arts and artists that are essential to our state.