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Potawatomi arts center reports growth, reiterates county funding covers 2% of budget
Summary
Leaders of the Potawatomi Arts and Culture Center gave a midyear report to the Pottawatomie County Board, saying attendance and program participation exceed 2024 goals and noting county support represents roughly 2% of the center's budget.
Dana Kim, chief executive officer of the Potawatomi Arts and Culture Center (PACE), told the Pottawatomie County Board of Supervisors on a midyear update that the center exceeded its 2024 attendance target and is on track to meet its 2025 goals. "We had over 105,000 visitors last year," Kim said, and reported more than 47,000 people had passed through the center's doors through June of the current year.
PACE operates the Hough Family Arts and Culture Center, a 95,000-square-foot facility that houses ticketing, building maintenance and subsidized partner organizations including the ballet and a community theater. Kim said PACE ran more than 250 events, classes and exhibitions last year and estimated its activity generates more than $3 million in economic activity.
The presentation emphasized PACE’s education work: Kim said PACE offered more than 150 classes annually and launched a children’s chorus after recent local school reductions in vocal arts. She noted children’s theater programming enrolls 64 participants from more than 20 communities and that PACE seeks sponsorships to keep participation free for low-income families.
Kim told supervisors that revenue from ticket sales covers some costs but the organization relies on fundraising and outside support. "Your investment, which you have already approved, is only 2% of our total need, but it helps us be able to provide programming for everyone in the county," Kim said.
Supervisors asked whether city transportation and infrastructure projects—cited by Kim as potential traffic drivers, including expressway repairs and light-rail work—were being coordinated with PACE to increase foot traffic. Kim replied she had reached out to city officials and expected the South Expressway project to shift traffic closer to PACE’s district, and said the planned bike/light-rail improvements currently stop short of the center’s neighborhood.
Board members thanked the presenters; no funding or contractual action was taken during the presentation. The supervisors noted that formal funding decisions would require an item on a future agenda.
Ending: PACE emphasized community access and education as core goals and said the center will continue to seek sponsorships and partnerships to keep programs affordable for county families.
