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Legislative Action Center |
Few states can claim the strength, diversity, and significance of a creative sector like Illinois. From Chicago to Carbondale, the arts contribute to the vibrancy and distinctiveness of our state in a meaningful way. To ensure the arts continue to enhance the quality of life in all of Illinois' cities, towns, and rural areas, increased government support is essential. The Illinois Arts Council is committed to the economic, cultural, and educational growth of our state through support or artists and the arts. The Arts Council funds the arts, humanities, and public broadcasting in Illinois. It is the Council's mission to ensure people of Illinois of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts. Severely reduced funding for the Arts Council has threatened the Council's ability to meet its mission. While the Illinois General Assembly approved $23.1 million for the Arts Council in FY2008, the Council's budget was ultimately reduced to $15.2 million - a 23% cut from FY2007 unprecedented in the Council's history. As a result, the Arts Council was forced to reduce general operating support grants by nearly 30%. Governor Rod Blagojevich's proposed FY2009 budget sets state funding for the Arts Council at $15.2 million - the same budget level as last year. This does little to help artists and arts organizations climb out of the deep funding hole resulting from the FY2008 cuts. $15.2 million is insufficient for the Arts Council to respond to the needs of arts organizations in Illinois. To sustain the cultural infrastructure of Illinois, a $24 million investment in the Arts Council is necessary. While $24 million is a modest investment - less than one tenth of one percent of the total state budget - it helps ensure the people of Illinois can experience and participate in the arts. Why Invest $24 Million in the Illinois Arts Council? Government support means equal access. While support for the arts - foundation, corporate, and individual donations, as well as earned income - has fluctuated over several years, public needs are greater than ever. With funding from the Illinois Arts Council, people in every legislative district throughout the state benefit from valuable programs offered by arts organizations. With increased government support, valuable programs - that are often free or offered at a reduced price - will continue to benefit every community throughout the state. The arts are currently under-funded. Every year the Illinois Arts Council receives grant requests exceeding $ 7 million that go unfunded. In order to expand the creative infrastructure that exists in Illinois, the Illinois Arts Council's budget must be increased. $24 million (only $2/person/year) is needed to support worthy applicants' requests at a higher percentage and allow the Illinois Arts Council to increase the number of awards given to schools, community centers, park districts, libraries, arts organizations and artists throughout the state. The arts improve schools and help children succeed. Knowledge of the arts and cultural literacy is important to success in life. Arts education motivates students to come to and stay in school, and research shows that students who study the arts perform better on standard achievement tests and college entrance exams. It prepares young people to be creative thinkers that employers seek for today's workforce. Students with learning disabilities also make particular progress when they study the arts. Illinois should be able to offer equal opportunities for all school children to have access to arts education. Doing so will not only give the students a better advantage in life, but will also help to improve the state's school system as a whole. Many students receive little to no instruction in the arts. A recent survey of superintendents and principals throughout the state revealed broad disparities in the state of arts education in public schools. 20% of principals surveyed reported having no arts program in their school and 28% of superintendents reported that none of the four arts disciplines - dance, music, theater, visual arts - were considered part of their core curriculum. 11% of school districts in Illinois require no arts instruction in any grade. The superintendents and principals surveyed said that the biggest barrier to arts education is budget considerations and lack of funding. A majority of principals (62%) rely on outside sources of support from funders such as the Illinois Arts Council. The arts strengthen the economy and attract tourists. Even during periods when the economy is slow, Illinois' creative industry has proven to be a wise investment for state government. Americans for the Arts reported that as of January 2005, there were 21,841 arts related businesses in Illinois and 137,689 employees working in art related industries. Over the last seven years, the non-profit arts have had more than a $10 billion cumulative impact on Illinois' economy. Investing $24 million in the arts, humanities and public broadcasting will position Illinois to be the premiere cultural destination of the 21st Century, where people of all backgrounds want to live, work and visit. The arts renew and revitalize downtown development. Throughout the country when many downtown areas were struggling, the arts have been a major force for revitalization. Cities such as Crystal Lake, Waukegan, Joliet, Rockford and Naperville have revived and rebuilt their downtowns by restoring old theaters, opening new storefront galleries and offering festivals and art walks that bring the community together in the downtown setting. Indeed, communities in Illinois have already demonstrated that the arts are a magnet for new retail, restaurants, small businesses and professionals seeking lively locations. The arts enhance quality of life. The arts preserve and enhance our cultural heritage, strengthen our sense of national, state and community identity, bring families closer together, and make communities more desirable locations to live, work and raise a family. The strategic investments made by the Illinois Arts Council in every district throughout the state have enriched the overall quality of living in all of Illinois' cities and towns. With increased government support for the arts, the Illinois Arts Council can continue to support arts programs at senior centers, free community festivals, public art projects, school-based arts programs, after school arts activities for at-risk teens, quality arts events at cultural institutions statewide, and much, much more. Illinois Arts Alliance/Foundation |
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