The Wichita Blues Society is a Kansas non-profit corporation intended for the preservation, education and enjoyment of America's music, the Blues.

Preservation
An extensive WBS archive is located at the Newman University Library. All of these materials are available to members.

Another means of preservation is the PAT (Performers Assistance Trust) Fund administered by WBS to benefit local musicians and their families in need of emergency assistance due to a career-altering illness, accident or death. The PAT Fund accepts requests from any professional musician in the Wichita area regardless of genre. This all encompassing attitude reflects the diversity of styles and hybrids that Blues has spawned and influenced throughout its long history in America, and the generosity of the fund's namesake, Wichita Blues icon, Pat McJimsey. By offering these musicians a helping hand we keep them playing and preserving the Blues heritage.

Education
Probably the strongest commitment that WBS has is to education, so generations to come will be able to appreciate the rich Blues tradition that is a uniquely American art form. In a very tangible way, education relies on and encourages the other aspects of our mission. It is through the preservation and enjoyment of the Blues that we begin to educate others and perpetuate the Blues in Wichita and South-Central Kansas.

One of the ways WBS preserves, educates and promotes enjoyment of the Blues is through our Blues in the Schools programs in cooperation with Arts Partners. Additionally, we seek to educate the community with formal and informal presentations about the Blues to various groups, and through our own presence at blues festivals and concerts.

Enjoyment
From its inception, the Wichita Blues Society has been actively involved in the local Blues scene. Many local and regional talents have been showcased in area venues via direct sponsorship or contributed support by WBS.

The WBS Blues Ball held each Winter at the Cotillion Ballroom offers local musicians an opportunity to play together for their admiring fans in a historical local setting.

The WBS Blues Challenge garners recognition for new bands and, through our affiliation with The Blues Foundation, the winner is eligible to compete in the finals of the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN. The WBS Blues Challenge is usually held in late September or early October.

The Annual Spring and Fall WBS Blues Crawls offer fans a chance to explore the variety of Blues bands in the Wichita area.

From the beginning, WBS has been involved in the Wichita River Festival and has maintained direct input into the selection of performers for a number of the stages throughout the May event. Close working relations with the festival staff has insured that the best in Blues is presented during the 9-day celebration.