By DAWNE LEIKER
dleiker@dailynews.net
Published March 12, 2010
http://www.hdnews.net/printstory/Arts031210

TOPEKA -- Hays, the "little city with a big heart," became the recipient of the Governor's Arts Award for Arts Community Thursday evening in a ceremony on the campus of Washburn University.

A program of the Kansas Arts Commission, the Governor's Arts Award celebrates the arts and artists of Kansas. The arts community award is given to a Kansas community that has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in arts activities and has committed substantial funds to the growth, development and sustainability of arts programs, activities, organizations and artists.

Funds contributed must include public dollars, although they may also include private donations. This is the third year the award has been offered. Brenda Meder, Hays Arts Council executive director, nominated the city of Hays for the award. She assembled 13 letters of support from a variety of Hays citizens representing educators, artists, civic leaders and entrepreneurs.

Kyle Garcia, owner of Phoenix Gallery in Topeka, who has partnered with Meder and the Hays Arts Center on many projects, wrote in her letter of support: "You, the people of Hays, exude inspiration and hope. You lead by example." "You show what can be done when people come together as partners, with common goals, relevancy and pride in your community; you move forward for a better tomorrow," Garcia wrote. "You are truly the little city with a big heart."

During the awards ceremony Gov. Mark Parkinson emphasized the lasting legacy of artists, "although they may be obscure, anonymous and often impoverished in their lifetime long after the politician has gone, they will endure," he said. "This is the case because they amaze us by their incredible work. They inspire us by telling us what humans are capable of and they tell the story of their time in a way that otherwise simply could not be told."

Mayor Ron Mellick accepted the award for the city of Hays and extended an invitation to the group to experience Hays' "unique flourishing oasis of cultural arts," he said, "We are literally an arts hands-on community. A community that supports and lives beyond our legacy through the arts."

Hays City Commissioner Henry Schwaller was impressed with the caliber of all the awards recipients at the evening's festivities. "It just demonstrates the value of the arts in Kansas, both in making it a richer and more enjoyable place to live but also brings an economic advantage to the state," he said. "One of the many strengths that Hays has is that it's a very strong arts community. That can be an economic advantage in attracting people to our community and something we should promote."

Marianna Beach, longtime Hays arts patron, was on hand to enjoy the evening. "I'm thrilled that Hays is being recognized. The people of Hays really support the arts," she said. "Brenda has been such an incredible director. I hope we never lose her."

Meder's enthusiasm was obvious. "I think the importance of the arts in people's lives is greater than ever," Meder said. "With tough economic times and the world in turmoil, art is what allows us to elevate our day-to-day existence just a little bit and allows us to express ourselves and get lost in certain moments."

She added that Kansas is now No. 1 in the nation for individual art production. "Whether that's a musician playing an instrument. Someone who molds ceramics ... who paints pictures ... somebody who pours bronze, who acts in community theater, Kansans have a reason to be proud," she said.

Other Governor's arts awards winners include: Jim Richardson, Lindsborg, distinguished arts award; Susan Craig, Lawrence, arts advocate; Artists, Elliott Pujol, Manhattan, Kevin Willmott, Lawrence; Doug Talley, Lenexa, arts in education; Emporia Arts Council, arts organization.

Commitment to the Arts Makes Hays Special
By Henry Schwaller
Published March 28, 2010 in "Community Progress"
http://www.hdnews.net/printstory/PROGschwaller2010

Forty years ago, several Hays residents volunteered their time, enthusiasm and energy to create what became the first Arts Council in Kansas. The efforts of these people, all from different walks of life, are a legacy our community can be proud of.

Prior to the creation of the Hays Arts Council, community arts programs tended to occur sporadically and were not always widely publicized. Founders of the Hays Arts Council wanted to change that; they wanted to establish community-wide support for all cultural events, knowing that Hays' quality of life, reputation, and future growth would benefit as a result.

Over time, the organization grew and took a more active role in organizing and sponsoring cultural events. It purchased a permanent home -- the former Hays Daily News building at 112 E. 11th -- in the early 1970s and established programs in a variety of areas, from the visual to the performing arts.

As the number and diversity of offerings grew, the number of residents attending its programs also expanded dramatically. Today, the Hays Arts Council reaches thousands of Ellis County residents annually through gallery walks, artist lectures, summer arts classes, theater performances and many other activities.

Why I am excited about the arts? Because one of the many strengths that Hays has is a strong, vibrant arts community that includes local artists who create exceptional work, the Heartland Community Theatre, the Hays Symphony, the Encore Series at FHSU, an amazing arts educator network at our schools, and the world-class FHSU Art Department. As a result of these community leaders -- and the work of many others -- the city of Hays received the Kansas Governor's Arts Award: Arts Community for 2010.

In an increasing competitive economy, it is a fact that thriving, economically viable communities have a strong quality of life that includes the arts. Past success was measured by the number of factories in a city or the average hourly wage, but in the 21st century, communities are determined to be livable -- or avoided -- by the role that the arts play in shaping a city's values, attitudes and outlook. Arts communities foster creativity and encourage participation in all community activities from a diverse range of people. This creativity not only makes a community more enjoyable but also improves local business climate, by encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.

I am lucky to live in a community that values the arts and appreciates the work so many have done to make our community a better place to live.

Henry Schwaller IV is a member of the Hays City Commission.