Dear friends and colleagues,

We are pleased to report that the $9.6 billion FY2017 budget approved by the State Legislature early last Wednesday morning, signed today by Governor Doug Ducey, includes an additional $1.5 million appropriation to the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Derived from interest accrued on the state’s Rainy Day Fund, this one-time allocation will not increase overall state spending.

Booker1_bustAnd yet, for those of us working in Arizona’s arts sector, this $1.5 million allocation will generate significant results – providing more resources to organizations, artists, and schools who support access to the arts for all Arizona residents, enhancing arts learning opportunities for Arizonans of all ages, and advancing the development of arts-based solutions to broader community challenges.

Our sincere thanks go to the thousands of arts advocates who spoke boldly and clearly about the power of the arts to move Arizona forward in positive ways. And for their steadfast work to secure this funding increase, we offer a special thank you to Arizona Citizens for the Arts, Arizona’s statewide arts advocacy network, and to champions in the State Legislature from both sides of the aisle. As we enter our 50th year as Arizona’s state arts agency, we are so proud to have earned this bipartisan vote of support.

As always, we look forward to connecting with you as we activate our slate of programs and support for FY2017. Onward!

Sincerely,

Robert C. Booker
Executive Director
Arizona Commission on the Arts