September 4, 2010

If you have the opportunity to attend a candidates forum, make sure to ask the candidates their position on public funding for the arts.  Below are some questions to get you started.

1.  Are you willing to help leverage additional federal and private funds to support the arts through the state’s investment in the NH State Council for the Arts(NHCSA) ?

2. Will you support maintaining or increasing grants funds for the NHSCA to distribute to NH’s non-profit arts organizations across the state?

3. Will you prioritize strengthening arts in education programs in your plan for education reform?

4. Will you support creative economy initiatives at the state and local levels?

As we advocate for public funding, it is tempting to overlook the intrinsic benefits of the arts — those effects inherent in the arts experience itself that nourish the souls of individuals and communities.  Individuals participate in the arts for pleasure, stimulation, and meaning.  Wynton Marsalis reminds us “[Our] songs, dances, writings allow us to speak to one another across generations. They gave us an understanding of our commonality long before the DNA told us we are part of one glorious procession. At any point on the timeline of human history, there are tales to be told- of love and loss, glory and shame, profundity and even profound stupidity, tales that deserve retelling, embellishing, and if need be, inventing from whole cloth. This is our story. This is our song. If well sung, it tells us who we are and where we belong.”

In addition to the personal and communal nourishment the arts provide here in New Hampshire, they are an important part of the economic energy and social capital of the State.  They contribute to economic productivity, educational success and the well-being and vitality of our towns and cities.  Both public and private sector investment have an important role to play in the State’s creative life.  Here are some suggested talking points in making the case in this current economic and political climate:

1) The arts are fundamental to a robust economy.

·   They generate jobs, tax revenue and consumer spending. According to Dun & Bradstreet, as of January 2010, New Hampshire is home to 3,424 arts-related businesses that employ 11,254 people.  These businesses play an important role in building and sustaining economic vibrancy and are a cornerstone of tourism and economic development. They employ people who spend money locally, generating government revenue. For example in my (town or city), (blank) ……………   

·         They draw new dollars into the state economy through tourism and the export of unique cultural goods. According to the NH Division of Travel and Tourism, visitors are drawn to NH to enjoy historic sites and cultural events in addition to its scenery and recreational activities. Quality cultural goods and services come from a strong arts sector that enhances the New Hampshire brand. Individual artists and artisans represent a significant part of New Hampshire’s robust entrepreneurial businesses in all regions of the State. For example in my (town or city)…………….

·  

They contribute to downtown and neighborhood revitalization. A thriving arts sector creates a high quality of life, which is beneficial in attracting and retaining businesses and workers and ensuring a healthy tax base for the state over the long term. For example in my (town or city)…………………  

2)     The arts help children learn and prepare for the future.

·         The arts enhance academic achievement and educational attainment. Studies show that students with an education rich in the arts have a better grade point average, score better on standardized tests in reading and math and have lower dropout rates, findings that cut across all socio-economic categories. Arts education is under threat in my (town or city)………….

·         The arts foster the innovation, problem-solving and communications skills necessary to succeed in the 21^st Century. A recent IBM Poll of 1500 CEOs found creativity to be the number one leadership competency of the future. An investment in arts education in my (town or city would mean…………….

 3) The arts are a vital component for healthy towns and cities

·   The arts inspire, soothe and connect us and embody the accumulate wisdom, intellect, and imagination of humankind. Participating in the arts strengthens our ties with others and deepens our relationship with one another through shared cultural experiences.  In my home town/city ……..
 

·   The arts provide creative solutions to complex social, economic and civic problems. The arts contribute to community resiliency, and help towns and cities find creative solutions to complex problems. In my home town/city we are……..
 

·   The arts are a tool for economic and community development. City planners, property developers and economists are increasingly recognizing the arts as an effective anchor for development and revitalization.  In my home town/city there is……

4) The arts are a wise investment of public funding

Leverage additional dollars:  On average, NHSCA grants are matched by private dollars 5 to 1.      

Provide equitable access to resources:  NHSCA grants provide opportunities for arts participation by many underserved communities.

Foster good business practices:   Recipients of NH State Council on the Arts funding are required to demonstrate exemplary management and planning practices, which promote sustainable growth of arts enterprises.

Provide strategic leadership:  Funding for local projects provides seed money at critical times for innovative ideas to take root.

Information Resources:  NHSCA serves central hub for information exchange not available in the private sector.

June 12, 2010:   The adjustments to the FY 2010 and FY 2011 budget signed by Governor Lynch last week leaves the NH Film and TV Office intact and only includes a $45,000 cut to the State Arts Council.  These cuts are significant but manageable in these challenging economic times.

Being in touch with our legislators is important.   If you contacted your legislators in reference to arts funding, please thank them now for their hard work.  Please also thank Representative Marjorie Smith and Senator Sylvia Larsen for their steadfast support of the arts.  

Save the Date:  June 24, 10-11:30 am: Michael Kaiser speaks at the Capitol Center for the Arts on the Kennedy Center's nationwide initiative to help arts organizations tackle financial crisis and management.   Tickets are free but registration required. Reserve seats for Michael Kaiser.  Sponsored by Capitol Center for the Arts, Arts Presenters of Northern New England (APNNE) and the NH Department of Cultural Resources.

On Wednesday, May 12, the NH House voted 182 to 173 (a 9-vote margin) to pass the budget reconciliation bill for the upcoming FY 2011.  This retained the budget figures for the State Arts Council and the NH Film Office that NH Citizens for the Arts had quietly advocated for among the legislative leadership.

In a major development Friday morning, May 14, the NH Senate killed the House reconciliation bill and passed its own bill (HB 1128).   The line items for the arts remained as in the House bill.

Although the Department of Cultural Resources, including the Arts Council and Film Office, sustained cuts in line with other agencies (about 8%), this outcome looks to be as good as we could anticipate in this difficult economic climate.  Our strategy of keeping under the radar has so far proved wise.

UPCOMING:

The budget debate is not over yet.  The budget bill (now HB 1128) will be considered by the House on Wednesday, June 19.  The House has to make one of three recommendations; it can concur with the Senate and pass HB 1128 as amended by the Senate, it can reject the changes and kill HB 1128, or it can ask for a committee of conference where House and Senate members attempt to reach a compromise.  We cannot predict what the House may do. 

We will continue to monitor the process, which wraps up by June 3 if all goes normally.  Keeping quiet remains the best strategy, until we let you know otherwise.

Next year’s Biennial Budget (FY 2012-13) will be even more challenging for several reasons. The state deficit will be greater and certain revenue sources, such as federal stimulus funds, will disappear.  Our strategy for next year will include more active public advocacy.  We will work on a plan over the summer. 

The fall elections could change the make-up of the NH legislature, as well as our Federal delegation.

 
NHCFA hopes to present a candidate forum in October and we welcome volunteer help.

Thank you.  Your membership supports our work on behalf of New Hampshire’s arts community.  Please visit www.nhcfa.org and contribute today!

Board of Directors

New Hampshire Citizens for the Arts

New Hampshire Citizens for the Arts is closely monitoring the State Budget process, and we are able to provide you with the following up-to-date information:

The Governor’s budget for FY11 proposed cuts to the Department of Cultural Resources (DCR) of approximately $247,000, which includes a $10,000 cut to the NH Film and TV office, and a $45,000 cut to the State Arts Council.  These cuts are significant but manageable, according to DCR Commissioner Van McLeod.  However, further cuts to the DCR could be devastating to the department.

The cultural community recognizes that all state departments must share in the cuts during this most challenging economic time, and we believe the cuts to the DCR as proposed by the Governor represent a fair and reasonable contribution to the effort.

The State Budget process will be making its way through the Legislature over the next several weeks. We will continue to follow the situation carefully, and will let you know if we need to take further action.  Watching and waiting appears to be our best strategy for the moment.  We recommend that you do not contact your State Legislators at this time.

Thank you for your support of state funding for these important agencies, both of which are successful engines for economic development, social health, and quality of life in our communities.