The recent grand opening of the Kansas City Ballet’s new home near Union Station was a festive affair as dignitaries gathered with hundreds of artists and arts administrators beneath a tent in the new center’s parking lot.

As you would expect, elected representatives — including Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver — sent emissaries bearing proclamations. But eyebrows arched at the introduction of David Kensinger, chief of staff to Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, the man who defunded the Kansas Arts Commission. (Robert Trussell, The Kansas City Star)