Arts Advocacy Update

From the Arts Council of New Orleans:

On May 20th members of the Arts Council of New Orleans joined arts organizations from across the state to participate in Arts Advocacy Day. Arts representatives set up presentations and arts displays in the state capitol to continue arts advocacy efforts, personally urging legislators to support the restoration of funds to state arts funding in House Bill 1 (HB1) in the state’s 2009-2010 operating budget.

After facing a threat of losing $2,468,938 in statewide Decentralized Arts Funding and $798,624 in Statewide Arts Grants, the bill passed with funding to these programs restored. These successful advocacy efforts are thanks to the Louisiana Partnership for Arts Advocacy (LPAA), who mobilized individuals and arts organizations statewide resulting in more than 75,000 emails to legislators asking for a reinstatement of arts grant funding.

HB1 is currently in Senate Finance where public testimony will be taken today and Monday. The Arts Council of New Orleans will continue to keep you posted on as budget process proceeds. As a stakeholder in Louisiana’s cultural economy it is important to support the LPAA’s efforts, especially as state arts funding will face increased challenges in the coming years.

Please consider supporting the LPAA efforts to safeguard our state’s investment in the arts. Visit The Louisiana Partnership for Arts Advocacy website to join our efforts and become part of the larger voice to support continued funding to Louisiana’s artists.