The $11.8 billion fiscal year 2020 budget passed early Tuesday morning by the Arizona State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Doug Ducey includes $2.2 million dedicated to the arts in Arizona.
The allocation includes a one-time $2 million General Fund appropriation to support the Arizona Commission on the Arts’ statewide grantmaking activities. This appropriation repeats a similar one-time investment made in the previous year, ensuring level funding for the Arts Commission’s fiscal year 2020.
Additionally, the newly-adopted state budget provides a $200,000 General Fund appropriation for a nonprofit professional theatre in Maricopa County that has been in existence for at least 99 years.
“The Arts Commission values the bipartisan support of Arizona’s State Legislature and the Office of Governor Ducey, who continue to support arts-based investments in Arizona communities, large and small,” said Arts Commission Executive Director, Jaime Dempsey.
Established by the state legislature in 1967 and governed by a 15-member governor-appointed board of commissioners, the Arizona Commission on the Arts administers funding from both the state and federal government in support of programs that contribute to the growth and stabilization of Arizona’s arts sector, enhance student learning, nurture artists’ creative and professional development, preserve the rich traditions of Arizona communities, and ensure all Arizonans can participate in and experience the arts.
