The City of Tucson Manager's draft budget for 2014/15 proposes cutting funding for the arts by 75 percent. These suggested cuts come in the wake of a 45 percent decrease in public sector funding for the arts since 2007.

If the proposed budget is accepted, according to TPAC, per capita funding in Tucson and Pima County will total around 20 cents per person, down from the current amount of 64 cents per person. The national average by comparison is $5.44 per capita.

THE IMPACT

• Less Arts Funding: The proposed cuts would severely compromise TPAC's ability to support a local arts sector that is striving to bring rich arts programming into our communities.
• Reduced National Support: TPAC's ability to continue attracting major funding from national sources to help sustain our arts sector may be jeopardized if TPAC cannot show that sufficient local support for the arts exists.
• Compromised Services: TPAC's capacity to feed the development of our cultural community will be weakened, as it is less able to provide the essential services to our arts providers that allow them to stay current and competitive on a national level.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Non-profit arts alone generate $87.7 million in annual revenue for Tucson and Pima County and the combined non-profit and for-profit creative industries create some 9,000 jobs. An important engine of economic growth, the arts depend on public sector support to thrive. Passage of a cut to arts funding in May will diminish the ability of the arts to remain a cornerstone of economic vitality, educational achievement and community identity.

The arts have been pivotal to Downtown Tucson's redevelopment. As Tucson looks to position itself as a hub of innovation and draw in new industry-as well as grow its tourism-it needs a vibrant arts sector more than ever.

To confirm dates/times, please visit:

http://www.tucsonaz.gov/clerks/mcdocs