Dear Friends of the Arts in Wichita and Sedgwick County,
We are in a meaningful moment for the arts in our community.
Across Wichita and Sedgwick County, we’re seeing fresh faces stepping into leadership, not only at many of our arts and cultural institutions, but also in our city and county government. With that comes new ideas, renewed energy, and a growing sense of momentum. From downtown Wichita to neighborhood galleries, from performance spaces to classrooms and community centers, from Botanica to TKAAM, exciting initiatives are taking shape all around us.
At the same time, organizations like Downtown Wichita, Harvester Arts, and the Arts Council are working alongside artists, educators, nonprofits, businesses, and civic partners to strengthen the ecosystem that supports creativity in our region. This kind of alignment doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through relationships, trust, and people choosing to show up for one another.
I was reminded of what this community looks like at its best during the
2025 Arts Awards. The room was full of energy, pride, and celebration. Artists, supporters, civic leaders, and neighbors came together to honor the people and organizations that make our cultural life richer. That morning felt like a snapshot of what’s possible when we come together around shared values of creativity, connection, and care for this place we call home.
But momentum doesn’t sustain itself. It depends on participation. It depends on people attending events, supporting organizations, advocating for arts funding, and speaking up about why culture, creativity, and quality of life matter. The arts don’t live in buildings alone but in the presence and engagement of the community.
So here’s my invitation: be present and a part of the movement. Be vocal. Show up for performances, exhibitions, festivals, and community events. Support the organizations and artists who are doing the work. Encourage our civic leaders and institutions to continue investing in the cultural life of Wichita and Sedgwick County. These quality-of-life experiences are not extras, they are economic development and part of what makes a city worth staying in, raising families in, and building a future in.
This is a moment worth leaning into. Let’s keep the momentum moving forward together.
With gratitude and hope,
Matthew Broderick
President, Board of Directors
Arts Council, Inc.
