One of the most difficult cuts in Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2011-2013 state budget is a reduction of 58% to the Wisconsin Arts Board’s budget. This cut will severely reduce the agency’s ability to serve the people of Wisconsin.  This is a move that will not only cut funding for arts and cultural opportunities for Wisconsin residents, but will have a negative effect on Wisconsin’s ability to grow the economy, educate our children for the 21st century, support quality of life, and compete in the global economy.

The budget as proposed by Gov. Walker will affect Wisconsin’s economic, educational and civic infrastructure on many levels.  Please note that the Governor’s proposal is the biennial budget’s starting point, and the numbers included in the final budget can go up or down from here in the state Legislature.  It should not be taken for granted that the Governor’s proposal will stand in the Legislature.  Some legislators may think the Governor’s budget went too far, others may think he hasn’t gone far enough.

If you believe that the arts are “part of the solution” for Wisconsin, you must speak up! Committed citizens – not just people who are directly involved in the arts, but everyone who cares about Wisconsin’s future – will need to advocate and educate in this environment.  If we want the decision-makers to recognize the public value of the arts for Wisconsin, we must take action. Our motto must be, “Don’t mourn, organize.”

Making change of this kind will take more than just sending emails to legislators.  We need to “surround” and educate legislators with information, data and stories about the value of state funding for their constituents.   The focus of our advocacy right now will be the members of the State Legislature, since they will be engaged in the process of reviewing the budget for the next few months.

Below is information on the proposed cuts to the Wisconsin Arts Board, with additional information about other budget proposals that will affect the arts in the state; a brief overview of the budget process; and most importantly, what YOU can and must do to advocate and educate, if you want to see change.

Please know that this is just the beginning of information from Arts Wisconsin and partners about the state budget and advocacy efforts.  We will continue to analyze the budget and its impact and facilitate the campaign for action.  We will keep you up to date and equipped with the information and tools you need to make your voice heard.  Please check our website for the latest information.

Part #1:  Here’s how the proposed budget would affect the arts, arts education and creative economy in Wisconsin:

Wisconsin Arts Board: Here are the numbers concerning cuts to the Wisconsin Arts Board budget:

	FY 11	FY 12	Change	%	Notes
General Purpose Revenue (GPR)	2,417,700	759,100	-1,658,600	-68.6%	General state funding
Program Revenue – Federal	759,100	759,100			Funds from the National Endowment for the Arts
Program Revenue – State	525,600	24,900	-500,700	-95.3%	Percent for Art Program eliminated
Program Revenue – Other	20,000	20,000			Other Gifts or Grants Received
Total	3,722,400	1,563,100	-2,159,300	-58%

The details are:

• Match GPR Funds to Federal Funds: “The Governor recommends reducing expenditure authority to match GPR appropriations to PRF appropriations in the amounts shown to balance the budget.”  A state must have a state arts agency in order to receive funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and it must be able to match the funds it receives.  Until now, the State of Wisconsin has invested more than its federal award in the publicly valued programs and services of the Arts Board.
• Consolidate the Arts Board into the Department of Tourism: The Arts Board would cease to be an agency attached to tourism for administrative purposes.  Governor Walker’s budget would consolidate the Arts Board and make it a program of the Department of Tourism.  The result of this action will be the elimination of six employees, the transfer of four employees to Tourism, and the Arts Board and its now executive director reporting to the Secretary of Tourism.  The details of this reporting structure are unclear and will need further explanation from the Governor and/or the Department.
• Elimination of the Percent for Art Program: “The Governor recommends eliminating the Percent for Art program and associated expenditure and position authority to balance the budget.”  The Percent for Art program would cease to exist.  While no new public art projects would be begun, it is unclear if the Governor intends to void existing contracts.

In addition to the severe Arts Board cuts, the state budget reduces funding for education, local governments, the UW System, technical colleges, and libraries.  The specific effects are currently unknown, but the overall effect will include reduced access to the arts and arts education for Wisconsin’s students, since too often the arts are the first thing to go when budgets are tight.

Part #2: The process: Now the Governor has released the budget, the bill goes to the Joint Finance Committee for review.  If your legislator is a Joint Finance Committee member, it is especially important to connect with them starting now, and throughout this process. After that, the Senate and Assembly each will have an opportunity to edit and revise, after which the budget bill will go to a “conference committee” made up of senators and assemblypeople for final review.  The Governor has a last chance for review (with the power to make significant changes) before signing the bill into law.  The budget must be signed by June 30 since the fiscal year starts on July 1.

Part #3:  YOU have the power to make change.  But where to start?
1)       You can send an email message urging support for the Wisconsin Arts Board using the template provided by Arts Wisconsin’s Legislative Action Center on our website.  Please personalize your message as much as possible to tell your story. If you want to copy and paste the email message to send a snail mail letter, even better – anything besides an email gets more attention.  State officials’ snail mail addresses are: 

• State Senate: PO Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707‐7882
• State Assembly A-L: Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708/M-Z: Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708.

2)       Think about contacts and connections, for yourself and your colleagues and friends, and how those people might be connected to your legislators.  Those are the people who should help advocate for this cause.  Start getting in touch with them to talk about working together to connect with and educate your elected officials.

3)       If you send an email message or letter, thanks, but that’s just the first step.  Make an appointment to meet with your state Senator and Representative as soon as possible to discuss this issue. Arts Wisconsin will be happy to help you achieve these meetings; contact Anne Katz, Executive Director (608 255 8316 | akatz@artswisconsin.org), re details.

4)       We will need to educate legislators about the impact of the arts as part of the solution, and the need for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in our local and state economies, jobs in the creative sector, infusing the arts into education for all Wisconsin students, and keeping our communities healthy and vibrant by ensuring access to the arts for everyone, everywhere in the state.  When you send a message and have a meeting, you should educate legislators using:

• Stories (with pictures, if possible) about the ways in which the arts have had an effect on economic vitality, educational advancement, civic engagement, and healthy communities, in your community
• Information about programs and services supported and enjoyed by the community
• Data about the number and scope of the people involved in the arts in your community