Salina Cultural Plan Draft Lays Out Five Priorities; Arts Groups Report $11.4 Million in Visitor Spending
The Salina City Commission on Monday, Oct. 26, received the 2026 State of the Arts report and an update on the city's new cultural plan during a study session. No action was taken.
Brad Anderson, executive director of Salina Arts & Humanities, introduced the update. Alex Keen and Heather Calvin of Keen Independent Research, the consultants preparing the plan, presented by video.
According to the meeting packet, a community survey drew more than 700 participants. Among respondents, 89% agreed that arts and culture add to Salina's appeal, 81% supported city funding and resources for the arts and 79% said private businesses have a key role. Calvin said 84% of survey respondents lived in the city of Salina, 4% elsewhere in Saline County, 11% elsewhere in Kansas and less than 1% out of state.
The consultants said Salina ranks in the top 30% of Midwest cities of all sizes, the top 20% of small cities nationally and the top 15% of small Midwest cities on an arts vibrancy index. They identified gaps including a shortage of mid-size performance venues, fewer opportunities for local and emerging artists, limited programming for teens and young adults, and difficulty for residents in finding out what is happening locally.
The draft plan is organized around five strategic priorities: sustaining and strengthening Salina's cultural foundation; making arts and culture more accessible, visible and relevant to all of Salina; making Salina a place where artists and creatives can build a life and career; connecting the local arts ecosystem and building shared capacity; and using arts and culture to drive Salina's identity, downtown vitality and regional appeal. Keen said the plan recommends maintaining existing facilities and public art and looking for shared space before pursuing major new buildings.
The State of the Arts report's combined impact figures, drawn from cultural organizations that receive public support, list 252,780 total visitors, including 124,960 from outside Saline County. The report estimates $11,374,028 in attendee spending beyond the cost of admission, including $3,805,201 by local attendees and $7,568,827 by visitors from outside the county.
Commissioner Norris asked whether church sanctuaries or school auditoriums could help fill the need for mid-size venues. Keen said the consultants would recommend looking at such spaces before considering new construction. Commissioner Doug Rempp thanked the consultants for an outside perspective. Another commissioner pointed to the need for highway advertising and an easy-to-find community events directory.
During public comment, one resident raised concerns about maintenance of existing public art and infrastructure, and another urged the city to build on existing assets such as Lakewood Park.
According to the packet, a draft plan will be developed in November and reviewed by the Cultural Directors' Roundtable, with revisions and an implementation plan in December. A public review period for the draft plan is scheduled for Jan. 5-12, followed by review by the Arts Commission and a presentation to the City Commission for possible adoption.
