V.J. Wilkins Foundation

10/16/2026

V.J. Wilkins Foundation
Press Release – 2026 Grant Awards
The V.J. Wilkins Foundation, a private, not-for-profit foundation, recently approved grant awards totaling $466,953 for applications considered during its 2026 annual funding cycle. This year’s awards support a wide range of programs and projects, including youth theatre, music education, community arts programming, and major cultural-development initiatives throughout Arkansas City and Cowley County.
Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $6.4 million in support of organizations, programs, and projects benefiting the community. The Foundation’s Mission is to assist the community of Arkansas City and Cowley County, Kansas, in providing a quality cultural environment of arts, music, language and other endeavors.
The Foundation also announces the retirement of longtime Trustee James Wilkins, who has been named Trustee Emeritus in recognition of his many years of service. Appointed by V.J. Wilkins, Jim has served as a Trustee since the Foundation’s inception and has played an important role in helping guide its work from the beginning. His experience with nonprofit foundations, thoughtful guidance, and insight have been invaluable as the Trustees have considered grant requests and the Foundation’s role in the community. His wisdom, perspective, and personality will be greatly missed around the table.
Katie Wilkins has been appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees. The current Board includes David Wilkins, Karen Zeller, Jennifer Munson, Tasha Bucher, and Katie Wilkins, with James Wilkins continuing his association with the Foundation as Trustee Emeritus.
Recipients for 2026 include:
• Arkalalah Fall Festival- Music Showcase
• Arkansas City Area Arts Council at the Burford Theatre- Bison Bison Film Festival, Arts & Programming
• Arkansas City Kansas Ministerial Alliance- Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration of Unity and Juneteenth Cowley County Celebration
• Arkansas City Music & Drama Club
• Camp Horizon
• Chalkalalah
• Cowley College Concert Choir
• Cowley County Farmer’s Market Association
• Cowley Youth Children’s Choir & Cowley Youth Honor Choir
• Etzanoa Conservancy
• Hope Initiative- Hope Kids music and arts programming
• The Marquee Theatre
• Merchants in Motion- Free entertainment at community events
• Music Theatre Wichita- Arkansas City Musical Theatre Camps at the Burford Theatre
• Roxy’s Downtown Theatre- theatre education workshops and professional production opportunities in Cowley County
• SCK Health Foundation- 2027 Fall on the Lawn
• South Kansas Symphony
• Southwestern College A Ca****la Choir
• Tacolalah Festival- musicians, performers, and cultural programming
• USD 470 Arkansas City- ACHS Theater Dept, ACHS Marching Band, ACHS Show Choir, and Elementary Musical Theater
• Walnut Valley Quilt Guild- 2027 Youth Sewing Camp
• Winfield Arts & Humanities Council
Beginning in 2027, the Foundation is changing its annual grant application schedule. The application period will be open January 1 through March 1, with the Board of Trustees meeting in early April to review requests.
Additional information about the V.J. Wilkins Foundation, its Mission, grant guidelines, and application process is available at www.vjwilkinsfoundation.com.

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10/16/2026

If you were at Burford off Broadway, you will agree you will not want to miss this evening!!

We will begin taking reservations Monday, October 19. You will want to get your seat soon, as this event will sell out!

10/09/2026

The doors of the Cathedral shall be thrown open tonight as THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME opens at Cowley Theatre!

Welcome Cowley freshman Braydn Ghram as he ventures into the depths of Notre Dame to inhabit the robes of Dom Claude Frollo.

Join us for this stunning stage musical based on the classic Victor Hugo novel and the iconic Disney film. With music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and Book by Peter Parnell this is a 'Feast of Fools' that you definitely don't want to miss!

PERFORMANCES:
October 9 & 10, 2026 @ 7:30pm
October 11, 2026 @ 2:00pm

Tickets available NOW at the link in the comments!

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

One of our favorite visits- we’re honored to get to see the students and their amazing instructors and administrators each year!

06/30/2026

06/25/2026

The Virginia J. (V.J.) Wilkins Foundation, a private, not-for-profit Foundation incorporated in the State of Kansas, is seeking Grant applicants for the calendar year 2026. The mission of the V.J. Wilkins Foundation is to assist the community of Arkansas City and Cowley County, Kansas in providing a quality cultural environment of Arts, Music, Language and other endeavors. In 2025, the Foundation awarded over $500,000 in grant monies to local organizations.
Trustees of the Foundation are James Wilkins, David Wilkins, Karen Zeller, Jennifer Munson, and Tasha Bucher.
Deadline for submitting applications is August 1, 2026, with grant awards to be determined by the end of September and grant disbursements completed before year-end. Additional information or assistance in making an application can be obtained on the foundation’s website vjwilkinsfoundation.com, emailing [email protected], or by calling 620-705-1102.

04/16/2026

04/16/2026

We’re proud to host the KSHSAA State Large Group Music Festival on April 16 at Arkansas City High School.

Our students have put in a lot of time and effort, and it shows. We’re proud of the work happening in our music program and the level these groups are performing at. 🎶

Performance Schedule
• Orchestra — 8:00 a.m. (Auditorium)
• Women’s Choir — 10:15 a.m. (Aux Gym)
• Symphonic Choir — 11:30 a.m. (Aux Gym)
• Concert Band — 4:25 p.m. (Auditorium)

If you’re able, we’d love to have you there to support our students.

Performances will begin on time, and doors will close once each performance starts. Guests may enter between performances only.

Thank you for supporting our students and their hard work!

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Nos enorgullece ser sede del Festival Estatal de Grupos Grandes de Música de KSHSAA el 16 de abril en Arkansas City High School.

Nuestros estudiantes han dedicado mucho tiempo y esfuerzo, y se nota. Estamos orgullosos del trabajo que se realiza en nuestro programa de música y del nivel en el que se presentan estos grupos. 🎶

Horario de presentaciones
• Orquesta — 8:00 a.m. (Auditorio)
• Coro Femenino — 10:15 a.m. (Gimnasio Auxiliar)
• Coro Sinfónico — 11:30 a.m. (Gimnasio Auxiliar)
• Banda de Concierto — 4:25 p.m. (Auditorio)

Si puede asistir, nos encantaría contar con su apoyo para nuestros estudiantes.

Las presentaciones comenzarán puntualmente y las puertas se cerrarán al iniciar cada presentación. Los invitados podrán ingresar solo entre presentaciones.

¡Gracias por apoyar a nuestros estudiantes y su gran esfuerzo!