| GOVERNOR CUTS ARTS FUNDING BY 30%
by Jason Loewith on 9/10/2007 02:24:00 PM
In FY00, Illinois Arts Council funding was $22.7 million. In the year just ended, it was $20.6 million. This summer, the General Assembly final proposed an increase, to $23.2 million. The Governor's budget vetoed that amount and cut funding to $16.2 million.
The Illinois Arts Alliance (run by Executive Director Ra Joy, who has just joined the Board of the Next Theatre Company) has this to say:
"WHY INVEST $23.2 MILLION TO FUND THE ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL?
* To promote equal access to the arts for the citizens of Illinois. With funding from the IAC, people in every legislative district throughout the state benefit from valuable programs offered by arts organizations. With increased government support, meaningful programs - that are often free or offered at a reduced price - will continue to benefit every community.
*To strengthen the economy of local communities and attract tourists to Illinois. Convention & Sports Leisure International reports that over the last seven years, non-profit arts organizations have had more than a $10 billion cumulative impact on Illinois' economy, providing jobs for more that 34,000 residents and attracting nearly four million tourists to the state annually for arts activities.
* To renew and revitalize local downtown development. Cities such as Crystal Lake, Waukegan, Joliet, Rockford and Naperville have revived and rebuilt their downtowns by restoring old theaters, opening new storefront galleries and offering festivals and art walks that bring the community together in the downtown setting.
* To enhance the quality of life for citizens. The arts preserve and enhance our cultural heritage, strengthen our sense of national, state and community identity, bring families closer together, and make communities more desirable locations to live, work and raise a family.
* To invest in local community groups and organizations. The arts are currently under-funded. Every year the Illinois Arts Council receives worthy grant requests of almost $6 million that go unfunded. In order to expand the creative infrastructure that exists in Illinois, the Illinois Arts Council’s budget must be increased. $24 million (only $2 per person per year) is needed to support the requests of a higher number of worthy applicants and increase the number of awards given by the Illinois Arts Council.
BACKGROUND
The budget approved by the legislature on August 10, 2007 increased the Illinois Arts Council's budget by $3.2 million bringing us very close to our goal of $23.2 million, or $2 per person, per year in Illinois Investing $23.2 million, or $2 per year, in FY2008 (less than half of 1% of the state’s overall budget of $53 billion), would allow Illinois to leverage its existing cultural assets and continue to enhance the quality of life for all Illinois residents. A $23.2 million investment in the Illinois Arts Council will ensure that Illinois’ creative industry remains competitive."
Next Theatre Company received over $20,000 last year from the Illinois Arts Council, and anticipates a grant of $24,000 in FY08. If the Governor's veto stands, that grant will be substantially reduced, and we at the Next will have to make painful programming cuts.
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Jason...
Hello, sir. I read about the cut in funding for the arts last week. It is unconscionable to allow this to happen...but I'm not at all sure what to do. Write my representative in this district? Go to the Evanston City Council?
In any case, I just wonder who would listen these days. As an artist myself, it is difficult enough. But when you realize that your elected representatives do not pay heed to the importance, the vital role of the arts in our lives...it is time for a change. Once again.
Maddening...
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