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 soon be making its recommendations to the full Legislature.  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.

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.

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

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, and become an AFC member to support our advocacy work for you!