FROM: Tommy Usrey, Chairman – Louisiana Partnership for Arts Advocacy LOUISIANA PARTNERSHIP FOR ARTS ADVOCACY STATEMENT OF POSITION

STATEWIDE ARTS GRANTS During FY 2009, the Statewide Arts Grant program operated with a budget of $2.4 million in state general funds. Sustaining major arts councils and organizations across Louisiana, these dollars leveraged national support and foundation support much needed by these local groups. The program was subjected to disproportionate budget cuts last year and this year. It is now literally on life support. The executive budget recommends $959,466 for Statewide grants. This represents a staggering 60% cut to a program that generates income and bolsters tourism.

DECENTRALIZED ARTS GRANTS During FY 2009, the Decentralized Arts Funding program operated with a budget of almost $2.5 million in state general funds. It provides equitable, grass-roots arts funding in all 64 parishes, aiding schools, libraries, non-profits, and local governments. The executive budget now recommends $1 million for decentralized arts grants. This represents an unprecedented 60% cut to a program that every parish depends upon.

Together, the Statewide and Decentralized grant programs benefit 8.5 million locals andvisitors. They also contribute to over 22,000 full-time, part-time, and seasonal jobs across the state, and drastic cuts will have a serious impact on those programs and jobs.

USING TOURISM DOLLARS TO FUND THE ARTS The executive budget deploys $1.5 million in tourism marketing dollars to fund most arts grants. Marketing dollars must legally be spent on tourism marketing, and we strongly recommend that arts grants be funded through the state general fund. When tourism and arts programs are strong, Louisiana benefits. Marketing brings tourists in, while the arts provide their reason to stay and their reason to come back to Louisiana. This all adds greatly to our state’s bottom line; together, tourism and the arts provide some of Louisiana’s greatest returns on investment.