The following post is an email we received from the Utah Cultural Alliance, of which Artists of Utah is a member:
Last Friday, the Republican Study Committee (RSC), of which both Representatives Bishop and Chaffetz belong, announced budgetary reccomendations that would include cutting all funds for the NEA, NEH, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Heritage Area Grants and Statutory Aid, and a number of educational programs.
Last week, on the Utah level, the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee (listed here) suggested that the Department of Arts & Museums receive significant cuts despite Governor Herber’s proposal that the Department’s funding remain the same. We will send a detailed list of the proposed cuts shortly.
The Utah Cultural Alliance is formulating a personalized advocacy plan to individually make a case for the need for cultural funding to the members of the Appropriations Subcommittee as well as Representatives Bishop and Chaffetz. We begin meeting with them immediately.
How you can help:
- Send us any data you have on how Utah’s creative industry effects the economy (also give us any national data you can find such as this article that shows how culture contributes 1800% of what they cost back to the economy: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/01/republican-study-group-proposes-cut ting-arts-funds.html. Send your data (or even just your individual impact on the economy) to: staff@utahculturalalliance.org or call 801-413-7951.
- Contact your national and state representatives:
- Contact info for your local representatives
- List of Utah Legislative Appropriations Committee members & advocacy advice
- Capwiz customizable email from Americans for the Arts about NEA and its importance to jobs and the economy.
- Capwiz customizable email from Americans for the Arts about the importance of Arts Education and how it helps make a creative, innovative workforce.
