An email sent out to the mailing list of the Chicago Street Theatre reproduced in full. Redux: Daniels, Indiana Governer, is trying to cut or at least drastically funding for the arts, please do what you can to stop this from happening.
Budget Cuts, Cut Art - Stop It!
Chicago Street Theatre June 2, 2009
Dear Steve,
I’m not one to hop on a soapbox without provocation, so please indulge me on this one:
In April, Governor Daniels proposed a 50% budget cut for the Indiana Arts Commission and an average 8% cut for other agencies and organizations. In both the House and Senate versions of the budget, the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) was treated fairly, with an 8% cut like other state agencies. Governor Daniels rejected these budgets.
Today, Governor Daniels released a new budget for the special session of the Legislature that will be called for later this month. His budget AGAIN calls for a 50% reduction of the IAC, from approximately $4M to $2M a year for the next biennium. This loss of support for our state’s arts infrastructure will put community and regional arts organizations of all sizes and types at risk of going out of business.
Chicago Street Theatre is supported in part by the Indiana Arts Commission directly and indirectly via South Shore Arts. We’ve already tightened our belts extraordinarily for the upcoming year and this cut will force us to consider more drastic reductions that will negatively impact us all.
I could go on and on, telling you why I think art is important in our lives and in our communities, but let me bring this into fiscal perspective for you. This is an analysis of your Chicago Street Theatre’s contribution to Northwest Indiana, beyond our fabulous productions, classes and free community events:
The total number of full-time equivalent jobs in our community that are supported by the expenditures made by CST and its audiences – 14
The total dollars paid to our community residents as a result of the expenditures made by CST and its audiences - $270,000
The total dollars received by our local and state governments as a result of the expenditures made by CST and its audiences - $280,000
“Cultural activities attract tourists and spur the creation of ancillary facilities such as restaurants, hotels and the services needed to support them. Cultural facilities and events enhance property values, tax resources, and overall profitability for communities. In doing so, the arts become a direct contributor to urban and rural revitalization.”
National Governors Association
“The role of the arts in Economic Development”
Source: Americans for the Arts at:
www.americansforthearts.org
Please take a moment to help support CST and Art in our world by clicking on this link and letting our elected representatives know how you feel about this lopsided budget cut. Your letters, sent through this web portal will make a difference.
http://capwiz.com
Thanks for listening and don’t forget to make your reservations to see “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me.” The show is amazing and will make you feel grateful to live in a country in which your voice will be heard.
See you soon!
Donna Blanchard
Managing Director
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May 29/09?Jun 13/09 An American doctor, and Irish journalist and an English academic are held captive by terrorists in Beirut. In the cramped confines of their cell, they argue over national biases, prejudices and resentments while learning humor is their surest weapon against their captors.
