The national "Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative" tour is making a stop in Wichita this Thursday to engage arts organizations and the general public in a community conversation about building and sustaining a thriving arts community in the city. Led by Kennedy Center president Michael Kaiser, the free program, which also includes a question-and-answer session, takes place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Century II's Mary Jane Teall Theater. A meet-and-greet with Kaiser that is open to the public is scheduled immediately preceding the program from 9 to 10 a.m.

Members and supporters of local arts organizations, educators, students, elected officials and residents throughout Wichita and the surrounding area who would like to learn more about the city's cultural offerings are invited to attend.

Kaiser began the tour in March; Wichita is his 30th stop as he makes his way to all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia to give nonprofit performing arts organizations tips and strategies in areas of fundraising, building more effective boards of trustees, budgeting, marketing, technology and other areas pertinent to maintaining a vital performing arts organization during a troubled economy. Lou Heldman, distinguished senior fellow in media management and journalism at Wichita State University, will serve as the moderator.

"It's important that these discussions take place and Mr. Kaiser is an internationally-respected expert who can open our eyes to even more ways to move Wichita's arts community forward," said John D'Angelo, manager of the City of Wichita's Arts and Cultural Services Division. "Everyone who attends will leave with new and innovative ways to keep the arts alive in our area."

Kaiser has been president of the Kennedy Center since January 2001. He has expanded the educational and artistic programming for the nation's center for the performing arts, has overseen a major renovation effort of most of the Center’s theaters and has led the country in arts management training. He created the Kennedy Center Arts Management Institute to provide advanced training for arts administrators at varying stages of development.

The "Arts in Crisis" Wichita stop is being sponsored by the City of Wichita, The Arts Council and the Kansas Arts Commission.

For more information or to reserve your seat, please contact Bernadette Bradshaw, City of Wichita Arts & Cultural Services Division at (316) 462-2787 (ext. 797) or e-mail bbradshaw@wichita.gov.

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