| In the nearly 40 years
since the beginnings of the Hays Arts Council, members have many reasons to
congratulate themselves. Through their tireless efforts
and devotion they have enriched the lives of the
inhabitants of Hays and the surrounding area and have
raised the level of arts awareness.
The Hays Arts Council
was incorporated in October of 1967, an event that began
two years earlier, when Mr. Vivian Meckel, owner of Hays
Music Company, introduced legislation in the Kansas
Legislature to establish and fund the Kansas Cultural
Commission. The Hays Arts Council then became the
first arts council in the state.
Lacking any facilities for
an art gallery, Mrs. Paul (Millie) Ward, the western
Kansas representative on the Kansas Cultural Commission,
opened her home to the first of several art exhibitions.
By 1968, the HAC took on a more active role in
organizing and sponsoring cultural events and hired its
first executive secretary. The council also needed
a permanent office and gallery which moved twice before
purchase of the current location, the old Hays Daily
News building at 112 E. 11th St.
The role of the Hays Arts
Council has changed dramatically since its
inception--from simply a supporter of cultural events
planned and sponsored by other community organizations
to an active sponsor of annual events enriching the
cultural atmosphere.
In 1998 the Hays Arts
Council received the “Governor’s Arts Award,” the
state’s highest honor for arts excellence. The award
was accepted by then president Mary Ann Thompson and the
first HAC president, Richard Starr (now of Lawrence) in
celebration of the HAC 30 years of service. It is hoped
that the founders of the Hays Arts Council would be
pleased to see that the original purpose of the
organization continues to be the motivating force.
Fostering and encouraging the arts has made the
community a better place to live and continues to play
an important role in the future growth and development
of Hays and Ellis County. After almost 40 years, HAC
continues to accept with pride the inherent
responsibility to provide “the arts for all.”
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