 |
Despite a $400 million surplus
for the District of Columbia, Mayor Vincent Gray's proposed budget cuts $6 million in funding for the
arts.
How does this contribute to a rich and vibrant life for our city's residents?
In just one example of the difference city funds can make, Split This Rock can
now offer after-school poetry clubs in a dozen DC public high schools. Next
year? Probably not. Unless
we can get the funds restored.
We urge you to take action and protest the mayor's proposed cut by contacting your
Councilmembers. Find their contact info here.
Tell them to restore
arts funding to FY2013 levels!
Remember: the Chairman and at large members represent us all, so please write
to them too!
With gratitude,
How does this contribute to a rich and vibrant life for our city's residents? In just one example of the difference city funds can make, Split This Rock can now offer after-school poetry clubs in a dozen DC public high schools. Next year? Probably not. Unless we can get the funds restored.
We urge you to take action and protest the mayor's proposed cut by contacting your Councilmembers. Find their contact info here. Tell them to restore arts funding to FY2013 levels!
Remember: the Chairman and at large members represent us all, so please write to them too!
**
Partner Statement on the Mayor's FY 14 Arts Budget Proposal
The
Mayor's FY14 budget proposal includes a $6 million dollar year on year
decrease in local funds for the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
(DCCAH). The DCCAH is a central support for artists, arts education,
and arts organizations in the District, and DCCAH grants are essential
to the arts in all eight wards. We are outraged at this proposed cut,
and ask the Mayor and Council to reconsider, and level fund the DCCAH
(at least) for FY14. We call on our communities to take action to
protest this cut, and invite participation in DC’s Arts Advocacy Day on
April 17, 2013. We also call on our allies in the public, the media, and
non-profits, to speak out against the proposed cut.
Philip Hutinet, East City Art
Robert Bettmann, Day Eight
Jack Hannula, Arts Club of Washington
Joy Austin, Humanities Council of Washington
Shanti Norris, Smith Center for the Arts and Healing
Christie Walser, Project Create
Rosemary Reed, Double R Productions
Joshua Simmonds, DC Youth Orchestra Program
Jon Gann, DC Shorts Film Festival
Philippa Hughes, Pinkline Project
Sarah Browning, Split This Rock Poetry Festival
John Cavanagh, Institute for Policy Studies
Andy Shallal, Busboys and Poets
Paul Woodruff, Warehouse Theater
Wanda Aikens, Ward 7 Arts Collaborative
Arts Advocacy Day spokesperson Phil Hutinet, COO of ARCH Development Corporation and Editor-in-Chief of East City Art explains, “The reduction in the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ grant making ability outlined in the Mayor’s proposed budget jeopardizes the vitality and revitalization of neighborhoods by reducing funding for a key component of the city’s infrastructure - the arts. The arts have sparked vitality into many neighborhoods, including H Street NE, East of the River and Brookland. That is not possible without stable funding for the DCCAH."
DC's Arts Advocacy Day is organized by the DC Advocates for the Arts in partnership with the Arts Club of Washington, the DC Youth Orchestra Program, the Humanities Council of Washington DC, the Warehouse Theater, the Pinkline Project, East City Art, DC Film, Ward 7 Arts Collaborative, the Institute for Policy Studies, Split This Rock Poetry Festival, Project Create, Busboys and Poets, Double R Productions, and the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.
To learn how you can participate in DC's Arts Advocacy Day on April 17, visit http://www.DCAdvocatesfortheArts.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment