Dear Colleagues:
Now is the time for all arts industry leaders to step forward with strong and unified voices in support of the value of the arts in Arizona.
In a recently released national funding report, Arizona dropped to 47th in per-capita legislative support for the arts in 2010. Since the beginning of Arizona’s fiscal crisis, the Arizona Commission on the Arts has lost nearly 50% of its state funding – and Arizona’s State Legislature now provides only 15 cents per person annually in support of the statewide arts industry that serves Arizona’s children, economy, and communities large and small.
The Arizona Commission on the Arts continues to face budget reductions and fund sweeps with every legislative session. Just last month, the Arts Commission lost another 7.5% of its current fiscal year resources in a special session lasting only 3 days.
The Arizona State Legislature begins meeting again this week in fresh attempts to close the budget gap for the current fiscal year budget, still $1.4 billion short. Once it has closed the budget gap for the current fiscal year, the legislature will begin drafting a budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1, 2010. The fiscal year 2011 budget shortfall is anticipated at more than $3 billion.
There will undoubtedly be additional reductions proposed to the state arts budget. Additional reduction proposals will be released as early as this week.
President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The unforgivable crime is soft hitting. Do not hit at all if it can be avoided; but never hit softly.”
The Arizona arts industry cannot be passive and inactive. It must stand up for the core values of Arizona: creativity, hard work, quality craftsmanship, and independence of mind and spirit. As those who work in the arts know, Arizona’s values are identical to the values provided by the Arizona arts industry.
The arts drive economies and attract 21st-century businesses to our state. The arts teach young people to be productive, creative leaders and engaged citizens. The arts develop communities and foster cultural understanding in a world that is increasingly diverse. Not least, the arts provide inspiration and support the pursuit of happiness that is the right of all Americans.
I ask you as artists, arts educators, volunteers, administrators and leaders to come together to build a worthy future for our state.
On Monday, February 1, 2010, Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts (AZCA) will once again host the annual Arizona Arts Congress. This year, in acknowledgment of the state’s mammoth budget crisis, AZCA has transformed the event: no longer will arts advocates be seen as protesters on the lawn. This year, arts advocates will participate in group meetings with individual legislators – as engaged citizens who are a part of the solution to a problem.
Do not delay! Go to www.azcitizensforthearts.org and register to be part of this year’s Arts Congress. You know, as I do, that the arts are a vital part of the solution. Join us to tell your story on February 1.
Download the Arts Commission’s publication, Building Public Value for the Arts in Arizona, for helpful advocacy tips and tools in preparation for the event and the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Booker
Executive Director
Arizona Commission on the Arts
