Last spring a bi-partisan coalition of legislators successfully inserted a onetime $1 million allocation to the Arts Commission in the current FY14 budget. Their rationale was simple and powerful: The economic return on $1 million invested in arts and culture in local communities all over Arizona was dramatically greater than leaving that money in a bank account where it would earn no more than money market rates.

Now the proof is in, and the assumption of the coalition has become an impressive reality.

Based on the remarkable impact of this year's allocation, the Commission requested $2 million to continue to grow its investment in grant allocations to local arts organizations and funding for innovative and entrepreneurial programs.

At this time, no allocation for the Arts Commission is included in the FY 15 Executive Budget released by the Governor. But we remain confident that with the help of our legislative supporters and the engagement of arts advocates all over the state, ultimately we will be successful in obtaining funding again for the Arts Commission from the "rainy day" fund interest.

Our case is strong. Consider that the full $1 million allocation in this fiscal year has already gone directly to energizing the programs and activities of arts organizations all over the state.

• The funding pool for the Arts Commission ongoing grant programs like Community Investment and Arts Learning initiatives has been increased by more than 50%. This benefits arts organizations that economic studies show are able to return $1.50 in additional economic activity for every dollar invested in them.
• Through $111,000 in Community Catalyst Grants - one of the Commission's two new programs designed to spur innovation -- small communities like Wickenburg, Bisbee, Douglas, Flagstaff, Casa Grande, Cottonwood, South Tucson and Nogales are making new contributions to their communities by partnering with non-arts group to help drive economic development, cultural tourism, civic pride, neighborhood revitalization and youth engagement. Read more here.
• Art Tank competitions in West Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson and Prescott are delivering "seed money" grants to organizations who've pitched arts-based entrepreneurial projects to a local panel of business, arts and community representatives. These are strategic investments in new arts activity that will contribute to community vitality. Find a full list of grants here.

We started our most intense advocacy work this month at Arts Congress by sharing with legislators stories about the tremendous contributions Arts Commission funding are making to the economic recovery in Arizona communities.

Even more compelling -- if "rainy day" interest funding is not repeated -- Arizona arts and culture organizations on average will lose 50% of their state grant funding next year, and funds for innovation and community development will be lost. This would be a devastating setback in the economic recovery of the arts and culture sector, and another blow to Arizona's fragile economic recovery.

We're going to be aggressive in telling this story. We ask your continued support to aid our efforts. Please stay tuned, and stay involved. Thank you.