The $17.8 billion budget passed on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, with bipartisan support in Arizona’s state legislature and signed into law today by Governor Katie Hobbs includes a one-time appropriation of $5 million to the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

“On behalf of the Arts Commission’s staff and board of commissioners, we sincerely thank the Governor and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who prioritized the arts with this investment in the FY2024 budget,” said Dawn Wallace, Chair of the 57 year-old state agency.

She added, “we’d also like to thank our friends at Arizona Citizens for the Arts for engaging thousands of Arizonans from communities large and small in a statewide effort to advocate for increased public funding of the arts.”

The Arizona Commission on the Arts receives and administers funds from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts and directs this funding to programs that contribute to the growth and stabilization of the arts, enhance student learning, nurture, and develop artists’ craft and skills, preserve the rich traditions of Arizona communities, and encourage participation by residents of all ages and abilities.

“This one-time appropriation is good news,” said Wallace. “These funds will reach every corner of the state, touching the lives of millions of Arizonans and providing critical support for Arizona’s growing creative sector.”

A one-time appropriation of $5 million was allocated to the Arts Commission last year, as well. These funds were delivered to nonprofit arts organizations, arts festivals, arts learning programs, and creative workers throughout the state in the form of grants. The Arts Commission reports that applications received this past March for FY2024 grant funding increased over 25 percent from last year.

“Whether through direct grants to nonprofit arts organizations and creative workers, or through programs designed to reinforce infrastructure for further growth and development, the Arts Commission’s staff and board are committed to strategically investing these funds for maximum benefit for all Arizonans,” Jacky Alling, Interim Executive Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. “We look forward to sharing more information about the distribution and impact of this $5 million in the months to come.”