The Salina Arts & Humanities Foundation has approved over $31,000 in Horizons Grants for two local artists and six non-profit organizations. The Foundation also authorized an additional $7,000 for Enrichment Grant applications in 2025.
Horizons Grants support initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to artistic excellence and community involvement by engaging audience members as active participants. Applicants are also encouraged to develop strategic partnerships to strengthen the reach of their local activities.
Organizational Project grants funded for 2025 are:
A Work In Progress, $1,600 for “Art Haven at A Work In Progress.” A Work in Progress received funding to transform a dedicated space within the studio to display art for First Friday events. The grant funds the addition of lighting, a hanging system, and a wireless PA microphone.
Friends of the River, $1,988 for “Friends Puppetry Program Expansion.” Friends of the River received funding to update its puppet educational outreach with new stories, props, lesson plans, and a performance stand for the heron puppet. The new scripts will grow the Friends' collection of puppet stories and keep the stories fresh for the schoolchildren.
Salina Art Center, $6,000 for “Native Voices.” Salina Art Center received funding for a new exhibition, “Native Voices: Contemporary Native American Art Exhibition,” which will provide a unique opportunity for the Salina community to learn about and appreciate the diverse cultures and traditions of Native American artists. The project will also help to foster dialogue and understanding between Native and non-Native communities.
Salina Educational Automobile Museum of America (The Garage), $6,000 for “Car Part Art.” The Garage received funding to support a community outdoor art installation at the West entrance of the Garage’s property. They will collaborate with local artist Bob Peck, local mechanics, car dealerships, and hundreds of area families to collect used car parts to build two 7-foot metal sculptures, which will greet visitors to the museum.
Salina Symphony, $6,000 for “Beyond the Planets.” The Symphony received funding to present a multi-disciplinary concert titled “Beyond the Planets” in October of 2025 at the Stiefel Theatre. The program will feature Holst’s “The Planets” and selections from Star Wars, both featuring vocalists from Kansas Wesleyan University and local high schools. World-renowned projection designer Camilla Tassi will create original projections for the concert featuring images from space along with photos of murals created through Boom! Salina Mural Festival in recent years. The project will also include a lecture at the K-State Salina Immersive Systems Design program, exploring the relationships between music, art, and immersive technology.
Theatre Salina, $5,000, “AACT New PlayFest Visiting Artist.” Theatre Salina received funding to host a new, never-before-done play on the mainstage during the 2025 season. The American Association of Community Theatres (AACT) received over 300 new scripts, and several theatres entered to be considered for this opportunity, but only six were selected. With support from Horizons, they will invite the playwright to Theatre Salina to join during the rehearsal process and to offer a workshop for area theatre students and members of the community.
Lana Jordan Developing Artist grants funded for 2025 are:
Crystal Hammerschmidt, $3,000, “Southern Graphics Council International Printmaking Conference 2025.”
Hammerschmidt received funding to attend the Southern Graphics Council International Printmaking Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from April 2-6, 2025. The conference is the largest printmaking event in the US, bringing together artists and academics at all levels, professionals representing studios, and vendors participating with print-centric products and equipment. She will participate in a portfolio exchange at the conference, as well as display work at the conference. She plans to show the work of a conference print exchange locally after she returns.
Pamela Harris, $2,000, “PROJECT: 45 Years of Arts & Design.”
PROJECT is a retrospective exhibition inspired by Pam Harris’ creative process and arranged over a decade from 1980 to the present. It will present graphic design, illustration, and creative projects at The Gallery at Kansas Wesleyan University from February 24 to March 21, 2025. Student engagements, audience interaction, and a First Friday public program will wrap up the exhibition.
Enrichment Grants available for application – February 1 through November 15:
The Salina Arts & Humanities Foundation approved funding for Enrichment Grants for artists and organizations in Saline County, Kansas, in 2025. Salina Arts & Humanities staff review Enrichment Grant applications on a rolling basis from February 1 through November 15 each year. For 2025, artist applicants may apply for up to $1,000 to support the presentation of work, study, training, artistic promotion, purchase of equipment, or travel. Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for up to $500. Enrichment Grant guidelines and applications are available online, https://www.salinaarts.com/horizons-grants-program/.
The agency will again accept Organizational Project and Developing Artists Grant applications in November 2025. All grant guidelines and applications are available at salinaarts.org.
Horizons Grants are made possible by private contributions from more than 50 individuals, foundations, and businesses in partnership with the Salina Arts & Humanities Foundation. The Foundation has provided more than one million dollars in support of more than 550 Horizons Grants since 1986. Salina Arts & Humanities staff provide grant oversight and administration for Saline County artists and organizations.
For questions about Horizons Grants, please call Anna Pauscher Morawitz at Salina Arts & Humanities at 785-309-5770 between 8:00 am - Noon and 1:00 – 5:00 pm. or email anna.pauscher@salina.org.