From: <>Betty.Plumb@ scArtsAlliance. net
To: Undisclosed- Recipient: ;
Sent: 4/25/2009 1:23:38 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Arts Funding in Jeopardy

ADVOCACY ALERT – CALL TO ACTION!

We have just learned that a funding plan by Senator Greg Ryberg of Aiken and Senator Tom Davis of Beaufort, will be deliberated beginning Tuesday, along with the Senate Finance Committee’s recommended version of the state budget.

Within the Ryberg/Davis plan, the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) would receive significant targeted cuts of $752,999 and no one-time funding of $585,000 for their grants program. These cuts — on top of the 25.9% reduction they have received during the current fiscal year — would have a crippling effect on the Arts Commission’s ability to accomplish its mission.

Key impacts would include:
An estimated 16% reduction in staff positions and additional furlough days;
Elimination of programs — in particular — artist services and the Cultural Tourism program; 15% cuts to all other grant programs (in addition to cumulative mid-year reductions from FY09 and loss off one-time grant funds — the $585,000;
Deep across-the-board cuts in all administration and operations to include default on approximately 80% of building maintenance charges.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Now is the time to contact your Senator and ask him to vote against the Ryberg/Davis plan (or amendment) and support the Senate Finance Committe’s version of the budget, which has NO additional cuts to the Arts Commission’s budget and includes $500,000 for their grants program in one-time monies from federal stimulus funds — if and when they become available. Use the links below to reach all Senators. Please contact your Senator right away. Feel free to forward this email to friends and colleagues who support the arts and arts education.

To Reach All Senators:
www.scstatehouse.gov/html-pages/senatemembers.html

Don’t know your Senator? Go to www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe