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Greetings!
As you can see from the New York Times article here, all across our country, public funding for the arts at the state level is in serious decline. What is the kernel of hope here? Besides the fact that every sector has seen funding reduction, we also know that there is a lot of support for public funding for the arts. Citizens have rallied and fought against cuts; elected officials have become unlikely champions for the arts; and the deluge of arts research has come in handy because there is agreement that the arts stimulate the economy; exposure to arts education is important to our children; and the arts are an essential expression of our humanity and our civilization.
The issue is whether the public sector should support this sector. Besides from the facts above, there is another reason why our answer is a resounding "yes". We help government look good. The artists, arts organizations, and community leaders have good experiences working with us. They see the value we place on the integrity of our processes regarding local grants and art commissions. They know we stand for the best aspects of democracy. They know we advocate and support not just the arts but the quality of life our residents enjoy in Sacramento through our partnerships with many public and private institutions.
Public funding of the arts is the public sector at its best. These small dollars are leveraged so many times over, that we also stand for government efficiency. We are proud and honored to do this work.
Warm regards, Rhyena Halpern, Executive Director Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission |
By now, nonprofit arts and cultural organization in Sacramento County should be entering their budget information at the 