arts alert: Governor Proposes Big Arts Cuts
MCA
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
2233 University Ave. W. #355
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-251-0868 fax 651-917-3561
staff at mncitizensforthearts.org
www.mncitizensforthearts.org
Arts Action Center
Feb. 15 , 2010
1. Governor Proposes Big Arts Cuts
2. Arts Advocacy Day is Just Two Weeks Away – Register Now!
3. State Arts Board Legacy Applications Due This Month
4. Don’t Forget the Other Access Points for New Legacy Money
5. The MSAB Wants You to Serve on a Legacy Funding Panel
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1. Governor Proposes Big Arts Cuts
Today Gov. Pawlenty revealed his plan to solve the state’s never ending budget deficit. Among a variety of cuts to state agencies and many other programs, he proposed cutting Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Council funding by 33% in 2011, and eliminating general fund support of the MSAB and RACs altogether by 2013, to “transition (the agency) to a nonprofit corporation.” (This means that there would be no regular state funding for the arts, and that the private sector would be expected to pick up the tab).
His proposal for most other state agencies appeared to be cuts in the 3% range, so the arts cuts are way out of proportion to the state’s deficit and also out of proportion to his treatment of the rest of the budget. In addition, as the MSAB deals almost exclusively with public funds, making it a nonprofit corporation would remove the state’s oversight and checks and balances on these dollars, such as the Open Meeting Law, which we think is very unwise.
The proposal does not affect the separate Legacy funding from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment, which reinforces the wisdom of the citizens of Minnesota in creating a dedicated source of funding that can’t disappear at the whim of a governor. However, it goes completely opposite of the will of Minnesota’s voters to increase funding for the arts, and also goes against our state constitution which says that amendment resources can’t be used as a substitute for current state funding from other sources.
So, what do we do? Fight back! We MUST turn out at Arts Advocacy Day on March 2, and ask our legislators to limit the cuts to the arts to the 3% proposed for all other agencies. We can do our part to help solve the state’s deficit, but we should be treated no worse than any other area.
Sign up NOW for Arts Advocacy Day at: www.mncitizensforthearts.org and make your voice heard.
Help us protect the arts!
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2. Arts Advocacy Day is Just Two Weeks Away – Register Now!
You are invited to the best arts networking opportunity of the year, MCA’s Arts Advocacy Day on March 2, 2010 in St. Paul. Join your fellow arts advocates at the MN History Center and State Capitol on March 2, 2010 to talk about the arts, make new friends, and educate our legislators about the importance of the arts to Minnesota. The state is facing yet another big deficit and arts funding will be threatened again. This year artists and arts supporters from across the state will be joining together to stop possible cuts to the state arts budget. We will also be thanking legislators for their appropriations from the new Amendment funds to the arts community. Together we will speak about the importance of the arts in our lives and communities. In past deficits, state arts funding has been cut by a third. Participation of arts advocates is the one thing that makes sure we have power at the legislature.
Arts Advocacy Day Schedule March 2, 2010
7:30 a.m. Meet at the Minnesota History Center, St. Paul
8:00 a.m. Advocacy Class for new attendees
8:00 a.m. Registration & Coffee
8:30 a.m. Advocacy Seminar & Join your team
9:30 a.m. Walk/ride to Capitol
9:30-1:00 p.m. Legislator appointments
You and your team will be led by an experienced advocate who has participated in past Advocacy Days and knows what to do. Your team will visit a series of legislators during the course of the day, giving you plenty of time to get to know your teammates and the issues you are discussing. Register Online By: Visiting www.mncitizensforthearts.org by February 26th, 2010. Questions? Contact Mark at MCA: 651-251-0868 / staff at mncitizensforthearts.org
Show the strength of Minnesota’s arts community.
And check out two great VIDEOS from Arts Advocacy Day Held February 24, 2009:
3 Minute Egg by Matt Peiken: http://3minuteegg.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/arts-advocacy-day
…and MN Stories by Chuck Olsen (Go to YouTube and search for 2009 Minnesota Arts Advocacy Day if this link refuses to work): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM3J85v23Ig
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3. State Arts Board Legacy Applications Due This Month
Application forms and info are up on the Minnesota State Arts Board website. The new grants programs are made possible by the passage of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. The Board created four major new programs as well as a number of smaller initiatives. Most of these new programs will have application deadlines in February, 2010, with award panels held in March/April, and grants made in June, 2010. So you have no time to waste! The four major new programs and their application due dates are:
- Arts Tour Minnesota – Due Feb. 12, 2010 and Festivals Grants – Due Feb. 26, 2010
- Arts Access Grants – Due Feb. 26, 2010
- Professional Development for Artists and Organizations/Artist Initiative Grants. (Programs still in development)
- Life-Long Arts Learning Opportunities – Due Feb. 19, 2010
Smaller new programs include a census of artists and arts organizations, a touring folk/traditional visual arts exhibition, and additional traditional and folk arts grants. These programs are in addition to the Board’s previous decision to provide stabilization grants for arts organizations and presenters. And remember, these larger grant programs are in addition to all of the many new Arts, Arts Access, Arts Education and Arts and Cultural Heritage programs being launched across the state by our eleven Regional Arts Councils.
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4. Don’t Forget the Other Access Points for New Legacy Money
We are keeping a run-down on all of the various access points for amendment resources on our website: check http://www.mncitizensforthearts.org/news/amendment-funds/othergrants/ for a listing of other opportunties from libraries, public broadcasting, etc.
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5. The MSAB Wants You to Serve on a Legacy Funding Panel
Help the Arts Board decide how to spend arts and cultural heritage fund dollars
The Minnesota State Arts Board is seeking individuals who would like to serve on advisory panels that will review grant applications and make funding recommendations to the board. Panelists are needed for six programs: Arts Access, Arts Learning, Arts Tour Minnesota, Community Arts Schools and Conservatories, Folk and Traditional Arts, Minnesota Festival Support. For more detail about each program visit http://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/machf.htm
Advisory panel members must have expertise and experience in a particular area of the arts, arts funding, or administration; in-depth knowledge of the Minnesota arts community; communications and decision-making skills; and an ability to work well in a group. Artists, administrators, educators, volunteer directors of arts organizations, trustees of arts organizations, and other participants in the arts may serve as advisory panel members.
Panel member must read all materials in advance of the scheduled panel meeting, and attend and fully participate in the panel meeting. Panels generally will last two to four days, and will take place sometime between March 29 and April 30, 2010.
Panel members do not receive compensation, but will be reimbursed for allowable travel, lodging, and meal costs.
To nominate yourself, or someone else, please complete a nomination form: http://www.arts.state.mn.us/pubs/pubs/panel_nomination_2007.pdf
Submit it, with a current resume, to Jennifer Tonko via e-mail, fax, or mail:
jennifer.tonko@arts.state.mn.us , fax: (6510 215-1602, phone: (651) 215-1608 | (800) 866-2787, Minnesota State Arts Board, 200 Park Square Court, 400 Sibley Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101
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RESOURCES
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ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.