Hearings on the Phoenix City Budget begin this Tuesday in several locations across the city. This is the citizens' chance to stand up and speak for what they think the priorities ought to be in budget.

Unfortunately, after two years of increases to partially restore funding to the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture (POAC), the City Manager's budget proposes to reverse the recovery and cut the FY15 POAC grants budget by 18% and eliminate a staff position that supports the Public Art Program.

As a supporter of arts and culture in Phoenix, you must make your voice heard so that this important sector of our local economy and community is not unfairly burdened by the need to balance the city budget.

The arts and culture office suffered massive cuts to its budget during the recession, falling from an historic high of about $1 million to only $140,346 in FY11.

Over the last two years, Mayor Greg Stanton and the council majority have partially restored the budget, adding $250,000 in FY13 and $280,000 in FY14.

The proposed cut of $123,000 in FY15 would bring the POAC's grants budget to its 1999 level of $557,346.

"This cut would compromise the growth and development of cultural opportunities which attract residents and businesses," according to the city manager's budget document.

The cut also "may eliminate the Arts Education and Festival grant categories," the document says - the very programs that help insure that arts experiences are available to as many of our citizens as possible.

Overall, POAC grants to local arts organizations, large and small, are investments in a local nonprofit arts sector that contributes $301 million a year to the Phoenix economy. 

Unless voters like you can convince the Mayor and City Council that support for our arts and cultural institutions is an important investment in our recovering economy, these proposed cuts will become real.

2. Fill out a card to speak at your neighborhood hearing.   

3. Let the Mayor and Council know that you:

• Appreciate the restoration of funds to the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture over the last two years. 
• Oppose taking a step backward by cutting the grants program by 18% next year, and putting the public art program at risk by eliminating the staff support position.
• Support the economic contribution of arts and culture in Phoenix and the important role arts and cultural institutions play in making Phoenix a healthy, attractive and vibrant place to live. 
• Offer a personal example of why city support of arts and culture is important to you and your family.
• Thank the staff and the City Council members for their service.