A pair of Lawrence arts organizations have received federal funding that leaders say will help them preserve jobs and programs.

The Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., and the Lied Center, on Kansas University’s West Campus, each have received money through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly referred to as the economic stimulus bill. The money was made available through the National Endowment for the Arts and Kansas Arts Commission.

The grants, part of $262,556 awarded to 12 arts organizations in Kansas, went to groups and institutions that could prove they might need to cut jobs because of the struggling economy.

At the arts center, the money will go to hire a replacement for Rick Mitchell, who retired earlier this year as its gallery director. The center received $33,663.

“It’s an integral part of our programming,” Mike Maude, president of the center’s board of directors, said of the gallery program. “It probably draws more people into the arts center than any other single thing we do. It’s important for exposing local artists to the greater community, and the community artists outside the area.”

The Lied Center will use its $34,000 to continue its education program, said Tim Van Leer, the center’s director. That includes projects that bring touring performers into Lawrence classrooms and allow students to see performances. In all, more than 10,000 children a year are involved in the education programs.

“It has become such an important part of our program and the community,” Van Leer said.

Both leaders said decreases in donations and other support have led them to consider cuts at their centers.

Llewellyn Crain, executive director of the Kansas Arts Commission, which determined the grants, said 52 organizations requested a total of $1,509,485 through the stimulus program.

Of those, 30 applications were deemed eligible for funding under federal guidelines. The 12 that received grants were selected at random from those that qualified.

“It’s great to be able to do this, to be able to help out organizations,” Crain said. “But it’s always so sad there’s so much need out there.”

While the grants were good news for those receiving them, there’s a catch: This is one-time funding, which means the arts organizations may be in a similar position next year.

That may be true, Van Leer said, but he hopes news of the grants will spur donations from people who learn of the potential cuts.

“I think we will utilize this as a springboard,” he said, “to help us in the coming months to raise funds.”