Post by blackcrowheart on Feb 14, 2006 13:53:47 GMT -5
Indian center has repaid city loan; control of artifacts released to
board
Associated Press
WICHITA, Kan. - Artifacts held as security for a city loan have been
released to the control of the Mid-America All-Indian Center's board,
after the full repayment of the $175,000 loan.
"They own all of the collection free and clear," said John D'Angelo,
Wichita's director of the division of arts and cultural services.
An anonymous donor's gift of $100,000 helped the center pay off the
note late last month. The City Council approved the loan in March 2005.
Center officials said most of the money - about $135,000 - went to
pay old bills as part of a reorganization that began in late 2004.
The city closed the center from December 2004 to April 2005 and has
been overseeing changes there since it reopened.
"We're up to date on the stabilization plan," said Newman Washington,
chairman of the center's board of trustees,
The center includes meeting and performance spaces, in addition to a
museum dedicated to Plains Indians' history and culture. It also
offers public Community Nights featuring American Indian drumming,
singing and dancing.
Gift shop purchases and facility rentals have given the center a
stable cash flow, officials said.
This year's budget of $177,500 estimates expenses of $117,420. That
does not include the city's annual contribution of about $58,000 for
utilities.
Next month, the center plans to hold a blessing ceremony to mark the
return of the Keeper of the Plains statue to its base where the
Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers meet. The center is also working
on plans for a market specializing in American Indian goods, which
could open in April, and to develop community education programs.
The city will hire one staff person to act as a public educator at
the center.
board
Associated Press
WICHITA, Kan. - Artifacts held as security for a city loan have been
released to the control of the Mid-America All-Indian Center's board,
after the full repayment of the $175,000 loan.
"They own all of the collection free and clear," said John D'Angelo,
Wichita's director of the division of arts and cultural services.
An anonymous donor's gift of $100,000 helped the center pay off the
note late last month. The City Council approved the loan in March 2005.
Center officials said most of the money - about $135,000 - went to
pay old bills as part of a reorganization that began in late 2004.
The city closed the center from December 2004 to April 2005 and has
been overseeing changes there since it reopened.
"We're up to date on the stabilization plan," said Newman Washington,
chairman of the center's board of trustees,
The center includes meeting and performance spaces, in addition to a
museum dedicated to Plains Indians' history and culture. It also
offers public Community Nights featuring American Indian drumming,
singing and dancing.
Gift shop purchases and facility rentals have given the center a
stable cash flow, officials said.
This year's budget of $177,500 estimates expenses of $117,420. That
does not include the city's annual contribution of about $58,000 for
utilities.
Next month, the center plans to hold a blessing ceremony to mark the
return of the Keeper of the Plains statue to its base where the
Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers meet. The center is also working
on plans for a market specializing in American Indian goods, which
could open in April, and to develop community education programs.
The city will hire one staff person to act as a public educator at
the center.