Arts for Colorado Call to Action on Proposed Arts Council Budget Cuts!

Arts for Colorado
Legislative Update, 23 January 2009

Governor Proposing 50% Cut in Council Funding:

Colorado's State budget faces an immediate deficit in 2009 and another in 2010. The Governor has proposed cutting the Colorado Council for the Arts' budget by 50% in each of those years. The Joint Budget Committee of the Legislature will now review the Governor's proposed cuts and make its own proposals to the full Legislature about what should be cut. Everyone who cares about arts and culture must communicate with the JBC immediately about the importance of preserving the State's investment in the CCA. This is what you can tell the JBC and your own elected officials:

. Don't Cut a Successful Economic Stimulus Program:
The State's investment in the CCA is an existing economic stimulus program with a proven track record of leveraging State dollars 12 to 1, creating jobs, and helping educate young people for employment in the creative economy. The most valuable asset in our State is creative people. Creative industry is the 5th largest industry group in Colorado, right after bio-science and information technology. Colorado also ranks 5th in the nation for the number of employees in creative industries. Art is not a commodity, but rather a fundamental element of a successful economic and educational engine. It would be unwise for the State to cut an existing and proven economic stimulus program when economic stimulus is precisely what government needs to provide.

. Keep Colorado Competitive in Creative Industry:
Colorado has made great strides in building a nationwide reputation as a state that values and supports the creative community. That Colorado was chosen to host the National Performing Arts Convention, bringing nearly 4,000 participants to Denver last year, is but one indicator of the hard-won reputation that Colorado enjoys. Cutting the State's investment in the creative community by 50% would send exactly the wrong message to businesses and individuals considering Colorado as a home, making it harder for Colorado to compete against other states and nations that are investing in such programs.

. Ensure Receipt of New Federal Arts Stimulus Money:
The Obama economic stimulus package recently introduced in Congress calls for an extra $50 million to be devoted to the National Endowment for the Arts, 40% of which is earmarked for distributions to state councils on the arts. But NEA money is usually given to states as a match for state dollars. Thus, if Colorado were to cut its own funding of the CCA, we might not qualify to receive the additional stimulus dollars. We simply cannot run the risk of leaving new federal money on the table.

AFC is working, through its volunteer board members and professional lobbyist, to carry this message to our elected representatives - Preserve, don't cut, this existing economic and community stimulus program. We urge you, immediately, to contact your own elected representatives, but also all the members of the Joint Budget Committee, to reinforce this message.

Joint Budget Committee:

Senator Moe Keller
District 20- Jefferson County
303-866-2585
moe.keller.senate@state.co.us

Senator Abel Tapia
District 31- Pueblo County
303-866-2581
abel.tapia.senate@state.co.us

Senator Al White
District 8- Eagle, Garfield, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt Counties
303-866-2586
al.white.senate@state.co.us

Representative Jack Pommer
District 11- Boulder County
303-866-2780
jack.pommer.house@state.co.us

Representative Mark Ferrandino
District 2- Denver County
303-866-2911
mferrandino@yahoo.com

Representative Don Marostica
District 51 - Larimer County
303-866-2947
don@donmarostica.com