Community Programs and Services

The job of the arts is to awaken our emotions and widen our horizons. It is a job as important to the total development of our culture and humanity as any science or technology.

Salina Arts and Humanities endeavors to create a vibrant atmosphere for people to make meaningful connections - with themselves, with others, and with their community through the arts. In this role, the department is both proactive and responsive in creating relationships between community, individual artist, and cultural organizations. This is accomplished through a wide range of programs and services, and in a variety of ways.

• A prominent feature of this website is the Community Cultural Calendar featuring exhibits, concerts, classes, events, and performances throughout Salina and the region. Be sure to visit often.
• The department convenes the Cultural Roundtable, a consortium of museums, libraries, galleries, performance venues, educational institutions, and service organizations collaborating to schedule and promote programs, exhibits, and activities of interest to Salina residents and visitors.
• The Community Art and Design program, facilitated by the City's Arts and Humanities, provides a variety of services to both public and private sectors. Together, with a citizen advisory committee, direction is provided for incorporating artwork into building renovations, new construction, or other community projects. Purposeful design is essential in creating a vibrant community. It enhances where we live, work, and play by beautifying our roadsides, buildings, neighborhoods, parks, and community gateways. Over time, a unique identity is created that will affect generations to come.
• Promoting life-long learning through the creative process is a core activity of Salina Arts and Humanities. In partnership with USD #305, the department creates and nurtures connections between student, teacher, artist, family, and community agency through the empowering perspective of the arts. Artists spend time, not only in classrooms, but also are prominent partners in community activities and partnerships.
• Salina Arts and Humanities produces a variety of events, concerts, performances, and activities created to place art at the heart of community development. Art a la Carte concerts provide a venue for young players, the Smoky Hill River Festival is the region's primary arts-based event, bringing 70,000 annually to Salina; for almost 35 years, and the annual Spring Poetry Series brings the nation's prominent poets as well as emerging voices. Collaborations and partnerships to create these opportunities increase accessibility and strengthen relationships between organizations.