Kan. Arts Foundation raises $105,000 in first year

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The private organization formed during controversy last year over state funding for the arts has raised nearly $105,000 in its first year, but made no allocations to local arts groups.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports documents submitted to the IRS show the Kansas Arts Foundation had 2011 revenue of $104,900.

The foundation was formed before Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed legislation last year that allocated $700,000 in state aid to the Kansas Arts Commission, making Kansas the only state in the country without a state-funded arts organization.

The records show the foundation had $16,800 in operating expenses, with almost $15,000 spent on receptions.

Foundation president Linda Browning Weis says it took a lot of work to set up the foundation, which is currently visiting with communities.