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From the Executive Director
What are you doing next Tuesday?
Do you know any artists? Did you ever enjoy a show at the Kirby Center, have fun at FunFest, chill out at First Night, find a treasure at the Fine Arts Fiesta, smile at the huge flowers on the brick walls of South Main Street? Is your kid or grand-kid's favorite subject art or music? Does he or she play an instrument? Have you ever taken in one of the marvelous concerts at the Performing Arts Institute or performances at the Little Theatre? Do you hope to see some zany sculpture on the new River Commons or top entertainers at the new amphitheater?
It's ALL at risk, folks. Each of these things depends, directly or indirectly, on the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and there is now a better than even chance that the PCA is going to disappear, along with all of it's programs.
The state budget process is an enigma to me, as I imagine it is to most people. The way I understand it is that the Governor proposes a budget, then the state Senate and House each propose different versions. Then the wrangling starts, and it doesn't stop until all the behind-closed-doors deals are made and the "compromise" is passed, usually well beyond the due date.
I gained a little insight into the process a while back when I complained to one of my legislators about the Senate proposal, which cut PCA funding to exactly ZERO. I was told that only an overwhelming show of support for the arts would get the legislator to try to figure out how to fund it.
It's time, folks. Yesterday morning, the House took up consideration of the Senate proposal, and the PCA is about to be "compromised" out of existence. Governor Rendell, to his credit, originally proposed $14 million for the arts - 1/20th of 1% of the total general fund, a little over $1 per person in PA - but there's no way he's going to veto a budget that eliminates it if it passes both houses.
The PCA, by the way, operates with a small but very capable staff, and nearly all of the $14 million appropriation is used for grants and programs. (Last year, nearly a half million dollars came the way of Luzerne & Lackawanna Counties through these programs.) Not long after I started as Executive Director of the CCLC, I spent a few hours with Philip and a few more with his staff, and they were extraordinarily helpful to me and encouraging about our work here in Luzerne County.
So we have no choice but to show my legislator, and all the rest of them, the "overwhelming show of support," to get funding restores in the back-door dealing.
And THAT is what you're doing on Tuesday! The details are below in a message today from Philip Horn, Executive Director of the PA Council on the Arts. If you CAN'T come to the rally, PLEASE contact your legislators.
Thank you!
Mike Burnside
Executive Director
ps: If you plan to go to the rally, PLEASE let me know, and if you email your legislators, I'd LOVE a copy! Our email address is cclcarts@gmail.com.
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A Note from Philip Horn, Executive Director, PA Council on the Arts
As of
this morning everything
has changed for the worse.
All reports
are that Senate Bill 850 is back in consideration (zero funding for the arts
and total elimination of the PCA) plus another $1.7 billion in cuts to other
remaining appropriations. Its passage would mean no grants to the arts
for FY2009-2010.
The strongest
possible message of support for PCA arts funding must be sent to your elected
officials without delay.
1)
Do everything - everything -- possible to attend and have your staff,
board members and supporters attend the Rally in Harrisburg on Tuesday, July 14 at 11am.
Register
your attendees: http://www.citizensfortheartsinpa.org/SavetheArtsinPARally.asp
On
Friday, reach out personally by phone to all your region's arts organizations
and arts businesses - theaters, symphonies, festivals, art museums,
opera, jazz, choruses, concert series, performing arts centers, art
associations, galleries, art and dance schools, etc. - as well as local
artists to do the same. Ask them to bring students, friends and family members.
Numbers matter. (If they say they've already been contacted, you can tell
them you're calling because it's that important they take action).
2)
Everyone must also make new contact with their legislators and the Governor
urging continued funding for the arts. This time (although email is okay) phone
calls, faxes and personal visits are better.
We
can see no good outcome without your immediate and significant action to
support state funding for Pennsylvania's
arts! Programs, jobs and services are at stake.
Thank
you for all you have done and all that you do to serve the people of Pennsylvania and for
your efforts to help that important work continue!
Philip Horn, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
phorn@state.pa.us
www.pacouncilonthearts.org
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The Cultural Council