Arts Funding Update

as promised, the Arts Alliance updates us on arts funding ...

January 28, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee voted to table a recommendation from the Legislative Finance Committee for a cut of $408,000 in grant funds for New Mexico Arts. Today, the Senate Indian and Cultural Affairs Committee gave a unanimous "do pass" recommendation to Senate Bill 24, which would increase grant funding for New Mexico Arts by $900,000. Next stop for SB 24 will be the Senate Finance Committee.

The Arts Alliance, working with New Mexico Arts and others, helped to organize testimony and supportive attendance at both meetings. Thanks to all those who called and wrote e-mails to House members. Almost every committee member who spoke made reference to the very high volume of calls they had gotten on this issue. Your calls make a huge difference, and the number of calls stand in sharp contrast with many other issues before the Legislature.

Next steps include further discussions and negotiations on where we will wind up between the two positions -- a $408,000 cut and a $900,000 increase. We will keep you posted on all developments, any future committee meetings, and any additional opportunities for supportive phone calls (see below).

We encourage you to call or email Rep. Egolf and/or Rep. McCoy to express your concern about the LFC-recommended cuts to the New Mexico Arts budget. (Find NM legislators)

Notes by: Kevin Hagen, President of the Arts Alliance Board of Directors