LiveBlog with Neeta Delaney, ArtServe Michigan

LANSING — Neeta Delaney, the executive director of ArtServe Michigan will be joining us shortly. Delaney will be discussing the impact of the arts on economic development, as well as the potential for impact of cuts to the current Arts budget.

Question: What is the latest news out of the House budget committee hearing today?

Neeta: Well the news from the appropriations committee is talking about a 10% cut to the department of history arts and culture. That results in a $2 million cut. It’s devastating news.

Question: What does that mean?

Neeta: It’s going to mean smaller organizations closing their doors. The cancellation of arts education programs. Typically when the arts funding is cut it means they cut arts education. Exposure to and involvement in the arts at a young age leads to the creativity. The things that are cut are education programs. You will see doors closed. The small and mid-sized programs are the ones least equipped to handle cuts like these. This (the proposed cuts) is a surprise I didn’t think that it would be possible to be surprised in the face of the continuing disinvestment.

Continued -Question: Can you put the disinvestment out on the table for us to understand better?

Neeta: As recently as 2002, state support was at a $27 million level. We ranked 4th in per capita funding at that level. A steady decline from 2002, to now where are at $6.5 million. Sixty-five cents per capita funding. We are talking about forty-five cents per capita if this shakes out the way it is proposed. We will probably be at the bottom of the heap.

I think the most frustrating is that a lot of us believe that natural resources in conjunction with our cultural resources all over the state. When you put that together it is our competitive edge that has not been taken advantage of. Talented people go where other talented people are. You will want to be around a vibrant scene. Without it, the fear is that people will think Michigan is a place that does not value arts and culture. This whole trend of being illogical. The one place you want to invest in are the places that foster creativity and we are not putting money in that. We want to create a sustainable arts fund like other states. So you don’t find yourself at the whims of changing political whims. We will probably have something concrete to talk about. It’s foolish to rely solely on publicly funding for the arts. Without it you don’t have any equity or access. The public dollars are not there now. We are trying to get the conversation started on how to identify some dedicated revenue streams that allow us to use public funds.

Mike Latvis, Advocacy Director ArtServe: The most successful ones have been dedicated to a portion of a tax. In NJ they take a percentage of the hotel motel tax. In Oregon they have tax exempt bonds, and tax credits that other trusts have that offer a break down for individual and corporate contribution.

LoRayne asked what programs were funded.

Neeta: If the general public thought about arts and culture to keep their kids in Michigan. and preparing them for the creative jobs, associated the arts and cultures with those things I think you would see a very different support for the arts. Its more than the arts and cultural industry that should care about these. if the sole focus is on math or science to the exclusion of the arts and culture you are not giving them the best opportunity.

The largest dollar amounts have consistently gone to the largest arts and cultural anchors are funded at a pretty high dollar amount. That is not to say that they are high percent of overall dollars.

In terms of successful program, the Matrix Theatre program which is in Southeast Michigan. They have written and directed something like 170 original plays. They have been funded by the state arts council. they are a good example of the institutions that are working on the ground and making a difference in the community.

The Bonifas Cultural Center in Escanaba is another examples. It is a mecca for individual musicians and artists. It is really a community arts and cultural center. It has made a difference in the economy there and it has brought disparate groups together.

Success is defined in different ways. I think when artists and cultural organizations are making a difference in their community either by improving the downtown or involving the economy.

The money that comes through the state arts council how they apply for it is through a peer review process. It is the most important way to make sure you are funding excellence. It’s a point scoring system. If an organization is not producing the results, they won’t be funded.

BREAKING NEWS: The 10% cut originally announced in the budget hearing this morning, may actually only be a 2.5% cut. Senate Fiscal agency is reporting a 2.5% cut.

Question: Is there any other message you want people to know?

Neeta: People who believe in Michigan need to understand that when we talk about investing in arts and culture we are not just talking about the elite privileged few. We are talking about festivals and so on that we don’t stick the label on. When you take those away Michigan is not a place you would want to be in.