The Koch Cultural Trust was founded in 1986 by Elizabeth Koch. Under her guidance as president of the Trust, the program has evolved into a major source of support for outstanding artists in the state. The Trust has awarded more than $1.7 million in grants. Click here for perspective from Elizabeth Koch.
The Koch Cultural Trust creates opportunity for the most promising painters, sculptors, musicians, dancers and performing artists with roots in Kansas. KCT Enabling Grants are funded by Fred C. & Mary R. Koch Foundation.
Since 1988, KCT has relied on the same group of four Wichita art leaders to select grant recipients: Howard Ellington, director of Wichita Center for the Arts; Mitch Berman, executive director of Wichita Symphony Orchestra; Cecil Riney, retired chairman of the fine arts department of Friends University; and Wayne Bryan, director of Music Theatre of Wichita. The selection committee makes quarterly awards to those artists who need and deserve extra support to advance their talents.