KELLER — To raise funds in support of public art initiatives, a new non-profit corporation has been created.
City council recently voted to support Keller Public Arts Society and pay $3,250 to assist with start-up costs.KPAS is currently awaiting determination by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization."The purpose of the agreement is to create a working relationship with the city and the Keller Public Arts Society," said Jonathan Phillips, management assistant, during a Feb. 19 pre-council meeting.The agreement will end Dec. 31, 2013, and would allow for three automatic successive one-year renewals.Phillips said KPAS currently has three board members including a president, Melody Kohout.City Manager Steve Polasek said the society will help the arts in ways the city budget cannot."The arts are typically one of the last things that would be funded by governmental agencies," Polasek said.Polasek said after cities fund things such as public safety and roadways, there is usually little money left for art programs or recreation."Sometimes by the time you get down the list to the arts, libraries and parks and recreation, that funding gets scarce," he said.Brenda Wyatt, Keller Public Arts Board chairperson, said when the Keller Public Arts Board created a master plan in 2010, the first thing on the list of future projects was to establish a non-profit entity for the sole purpose of raising funds in support of public art initiatives within the city of Keller."We have been searching and interviewing for the past few years to find someone with the drive, initiative and passion to start up such a foundation," Wyatt said. "We believe we have found that person in Melody Kohout."Wyatt said after being recommended by Mayor Pat McGrail and interviewed several times by board members and city staff, it became evident that Kohout was a perfect fit for the job."Mrs. Kohout's response to our invitation was quick and enthusiastic," Wyatt said. Wyatt said she is very pleased to have City Council approval for this new endeavor, which is a huge step in the development of bringing art in all it's many forms to the citizens of Keller.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
