state arts action network
State Appropriations
Updated October 31, 2005
2006 Preliminary State Arts Agency Appropriations
In an effort to better understand the health of the field, Americans for the Arts has gathered the following state arts agency appropriations data for FY 2006. These amounts do not include either other state funds that are appropriated for the state arts council to administer or other nonrelated line items.
FY 2006 data was obtained through Americans for the Arts’ state legislative tracking service. When that data was not available or was conflicting, a phone call with SAAN members in the particular state or if no SAAN members existed in that state, a phone call with the arts agency. FY 2005 comparison data was obtained from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies’ (NASAA) Legislative Appropriation Annual Survey, appended June 2005.
In general, the arts agencies fared well. There were a few major gains, while some states did experiences some losses. Of the 50 states, 34 showed increases, while seven remained flat funded, and nine reported losses. Overall, state arts appropriations (not including line items or any other state funding) grew from $265,946,806 to $287,613,114 by $21,666,308 from FY 2005 to FY 2006 or by over eight percent. Percent changes ranged from 80 percent growth to a 34 percent loss.
Where possible, I have included each state’s NEA funding and other line items. Please note that the NEA grant number is subject to change, as some state legislatures have estimated this figure. Please see below for more details.
View the summaries listing the overall totals and percent changes.
If you have any questions, please contact Jay Dick, director of state arts policy at Americans for the Arts.
Alabama
The Alabama State Council on the Arts received a $736,908 increase in their state appropriations from $3,169,195 to 3,906,103. Add to this amount $670,650 from the NEA, and the council’s total budget is $4,576,753.
Alaska
The Alaska State Council received $547,900 from the state’s general funds. This is a $86,600 increase. Their total budget, including NEA funds, will be $1,210,300.
Arizona
The Arizona Arts Commission’s appropriation was flat this year at $1,818,200. Additionally, the state legislature deposited $2,000,000 into the ArtShare arts endowment.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, the arts agency’s appropriation increased by a modest $37,696 to $1,498,339. They will also receive $148,474 from foundation support and other sources. Their NEA grant will be $514,800, which gives them a grand total of $2,161,614.
California
The California Art Council (CAC) is one of the hardest hit budget-wise over the past several years, losing approximately 95 percent of its budget. This year, the California legislature appropriated $1,153,000 to the CAC. The CAC will also receive $968,000 from the California Arts License Plate Fund and $197,000 from other sources. Their state total for this year will be $2,308,000, a $261,000 increase from last year.
The CAC expects to receive $938,000 from the NEA, which would give them a grand total of $3,256,000 for the year.
Colorado
In Colorado, another hard-hit state budget-wise, the arts agency received $700,000 in state appropriations. This is a $200,000 increase from last year. The NEA will contribute $588,000 for a grand total of $1.2 million.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism is the result of a recent state reorganization. In the past, the agency was independent and had its own line item for salaries and administration, in addition to its grant work. Last year, the state appropriated $15,140,768 to the agency. After the reorganization Americans for the Arts is no longer able to isolate the administrative and personnel expenses as these expenses are part of the larger commission’s budget. But the state legislature did increase the commission’s cultural grants budget from $2,250,000 to $2,400,000 for FY 2006. Additionally, the state included $3,900,000 in line-item appropriations for various state arts projects. Lastly, the commission will receive $500,000 for the Arts Endowment Fund from bonding.
Delaware
The Delaware Division of the Arts will see a slight increase of $21,900 this year, as the state legislature has appropriated $1,730,800.
Florida
The Florida legislature has almost doubled the appropriation to the Division of Cultural Affairs from $15,810,390 to $28,579,348. Americans for the Arts SAAN member Sherron Long explains that they were subject to a massive cut in 2003–2004, so they are just now recovering; this increase is wonderful, although she points out that they are still down $2,000,000 from the 2003 budget level.
Georgia
The Georgia Council for the Arts received $3,287,352 for this fiscal year from the state legislature. Unfortunately, this represents a decrease of $341,656.
Hawaii
The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts received an increase of $306,685 in state funding for this year. Additionally, the foundation received $625,000 in funding from another state program and $570,200 from the NEA. The foundation’s total budget for this year is $8,032,997. It is of interest to note that for the first time in 10 years, the foundation received an increase of $175,000 to its grants budget.
Idaho
The Idaho Commission on the Arts will receive an $82,300 increase from their state appropriations, for a total of $918,400. Their total budget will be $1,549,000 when factoring in their NEA grant.
Illinois
llinois is another great example of excellent advocacy work by the Illinois Arts Alliance Foundation under the leadership of Alene Valkanas. This year, the Illinois Arts Council’s budget received $20,600,000 million for FY 2006, a $1 million increase from FY 2005. This year, instead of one big arts advocacy day at the state capital, the Illinois Arts Alliance Foundation hosted 14 regional advocacy events in appropriators’ home districts.
Indiana
The Indiana State legislature has a biennial budget process. For the next two years, the Indiana Arts Commission's appropriation will be $3,632,215 for FY 2006 and $3,632,224 for FY 2007. This represents a slight increase of $14,878 from last year’s appropriation of $3,617,337.
Iowa
The Iowa Arts Council received $1,157,486 from the state legislature this year. This is a $192,100 decrease from last year’s appropriation of $1,349,586. But the news is not all bad. In addition to the general appropriation, the legislature added $1,000,000 to the cultural trust again this year, and the Iowa Arts Council was given $50,000 for grants to nonprofit music entities.
Kansas
The Kansas legislature is second only to Minnesota in the dubious distinction of having a raucous appropriations season. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the state was not spending enough on education, and went as far as to attach a minimum dollar number that the state must spend for the court to rule educational spending constitutional. That said, the Kansas Arts Commission received a flat funding this year of $1,516,857. Given the huge state deficit this should be seen as a victory for the arts.
Kentucky
The State of Kentucky operates on a biennial budget, and this year was not a new budget year. Therefore, the Kentucky Arts Council received $4,210,900, the same amount they received last year.
Louisiana
The Louisiana state legislature approved an $877,492 increase to the budget of the Louisiana Division of the Arts, for a total of $5,812,454 for this fiscal year. Given the massive recovery efforts that will be occurring in Louisiana as a result of Hurricane Katrina, this number is certainly subject to change.
Maine
The final budget amount for the Maine Arts Commission has not yet been determined. The state legislature appropriated $815,778 to the commission, which is $40,056 less than last year. But, the legislature also appropriated $1,000,000 for the Maine Arts Commission and seven other groups to split. The Arts Commission expects to receive at least $200,000 from this amount, giving them a total of $1,015,778, or at least a $159,844 increase. This year’s NEA matching funds will be $608,400.
Maryland
The Maryland State Arts Council received $11,280,137 this year after defeating an $180,000 reduction amendment. This appropriation represents a $278,615 increase in funding over last year. The legislature also provided a $300,000 authority level for "special funds" that the arts council can use to receive matching funds from PTAs in the state. Congratulations to Pamela G. Holt of the Maryland Citizens for the Arts for helping to defeat the reduction amendment.
Massachusetts
Another major victory occurred in Massachusetts, where the Massachusetts Cultural Council received an additional $1.3 million increase which will provide a $9,300,000 million budget for this year.
Michigan
The Michigan legislature is one of eight that meets year-round and has yet to pass a budget. This year, the governor has proposed $11,328,400 for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs’ budget, a $419,300 decrease. But, because of decreased state revenue and opposition to any revenue raiser initiatives, the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended a further reduction to $10,843,100, which was cut to $8,843,100 on the Senate floor. The House recommended a $10,354,800 budget. The Conference Committee approved $9,822,800 which the governor has signed into law. This is a decrease of $1,896,500 from last year’s appropriation of $11,719,300
Minnesota
Beating Kansas for a wild legislative session is the Minnesota legislature. At one point, because the legislature was unable to pass a budget, the state government shut down for several days. But, under the leadership of Sheila Smith, the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts was able to protect the $8,593,000 appropriation to the Minnesota State Arts Board. This amount is flat from last year, but given the fact that many other state commission budgets were cut dramatically, this is a victory.
Mississippi
The Mississippi Arts Commission received $1,609,408 for this year. This is a $52,143 decrease from last year’s budget. Unfortunately, due to Hurricane Katrina, this number will probably be decreased further. The State of Mississippi receives approximately $500,000 a day in tax revenue from casinos on the Gulf Coast which are now destroyed. Thus, this will have a devastating impact upon the state’s budget.
Missouri
The Missouri State Council on the Arts was another organization that was hard hit by the budget crisis several years ago. The organization survives by operating on moneys from the Missouri Arts Council Trust, as the legislature zeroed out the council’s general funds appropriation several years. But this year, the council received $500,000 from the state’s general funds, an increase of $50,181. Unfortunately, the Missouri Citizens for the Arts expects these funds to be subject to a three percent governor’s reserve. The council was authorized to spend up to $4,682,959 from the trust fund, but this amount is subject to the approval of the Trust Board. Unfortunately, the state legislature has only appropriated a $600,000 deposit into the trust fund.
Montana
Montana operates on a biennial budget process. This year, the Montana Arts Council received $1,305,343 from the state legislature, which includes other state and NEA funding. This is an increase of $265,747 from last year’s appropriation. Unfortunately, $175,095 of this amount is one-time only funding resulting in an actual increase of $90,652.
Nebraska
The Nebraska legislature appropriated the Nebraska Arts Council a total of $1,185,015 in state funding this year, which represents a $66,318 increase. The NEA will be contributing $604,800 to the council’s budget for a total of $2,025,642.
Nevada
The Nevada State legislature operates under a biennial budget. For FY 2006, the legislature has appropriated $1,688,043 to the Nevada Arts Council. This is a $213,000 increase from last year’s appropriation of $1,475,576. (The actual appropriation was $1,725,576, but $300,000 was for a pass through grant which is not counted here.) For FY 2007, the council has been appropriated $1,696,422.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts will receive $718,103 in funding from the state legislature, which is a $26,638 increase over last year’s appropriation. The council expects a total of $559,100 in federal funds for a total of $1,277,203 budget for this year. In addition to their general budget, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts will receive $72,000 to place arts in two state buildings. Lastly, they will administer $50,000 in revenue from their moose license plates for cultural conservation projects.
New Jersey
ArtPride New Jersey, under the leadership of Ann Marie Miller, has demonstrated remarkable advocacy skills over the past several years which have resulted in another major increase in the New Jersey State Council on the Arts’ budget. This year, the state legislature appropriated $30,810,000 to the council, a $2,130,000 increase over last year. Additionally, the NEA will be providing a $750,000 to the council.
New Mexico
The New Mexico State legislature appropriated $1,421,000 for New Mexico Arts’ budget this year. This is a $57,000 decrease from last year’s appropriation. New Mexico Arts’ NEA grant will be $547,800, a decrease of $300.
New York
The New York State legislature approved a $42.4 million dollar budget for the New York State Council on the Arts, which is flat from last year. In New York, the state has two arts budget items, one for grants ($37.4 million) and one for operating expenses ($5 million).
North Carolina
Another major victory happened in North Carolina, where the North Carolina Arts Council received an increase of $976,133 in recurring funding and an increase of $1,000,000 in nonrecurring appropriations—a total increase for this year of $1,976,133. The total FY 2006 council’s budget will be $7,895,695. Breaking down this increase, the North Carolina Arts Council will receive $580,000 in recurring funding for Grassroots Arts Programs and $1,000,000 in nonrecurring funding. It will also receive an increase of $396,133 in recurring funding for basic grants and general support. This is a 54 percent increase for the two grant categories!
North Dakota
North Dakota has a biennial budget. For FY 2006 and FY 2007, the state legislature appropriated $499,845 for the North Dakota Council on the Arts. This is $12,321 decrease for each year than the last biennial budget. But, according to Yvonn Quijano of the North Dakota Arts Alliance, the decrease is a result of the end of a special program honoring Lewis and Clark, for which the legislature had put in extra money. In general, they feel that their budget was flat funded this year. Furthermore, it is expected that the NEA will provide $522,800 in funding for the year.
Ohio
The Ohio legislature passed a biennial budget of $22,475,000 for the Ohio Arts Council or $11,237,500 each year. This is a decrease of $138,234. According to Donna Collins of the Ohio Citizens for the Arts, this has been a very tough budget year in Ohio, and every program with the exception of education was cut. It is important to note that the governor had recommended $20,476,000 or two million less that the final appropriation.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma legislature appropriated $4,300,000 for the Oklahoma Arts Council this year, an increase of $376,129.
Oregon
The Oregon Arts Commission will be receiving an increase of $49,688 this year as the state legislature provided $634,025 to the commission. Additionally, the legislature has appropriated the Oregon Cultural Trust $1,300,000 for the council to use for granting and administration.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts budget is flat this year as the legislature appropriated $14,500,000. Given the tough financial times in Pennsylvania, this should be seen as a victory for the arts.
Rhode Island
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts received $2,623,921 this year, a decrease of $20,000 or 0.7 percent of their budget.
South Carolina
The South Carolina legislature approved $3,498,485 for the South Carolina Arts Commission’s FY 2006 budget. This is an increase of $177,968. Betty Plumb of the South Carolina Arts Alliance notes that this amount does include the new money for grants, but does not include new funds for the state pay plan that the legislature passed. She says that the total appropriation approved in this budget, including state, federal, and other dollars, is $5,036,705.
South Dakota
The South Dakota Arts Council will see a very modest increase of $262 as the state legislature has appropriated $588,743 for this year’s budget. Additionally, the NEA will be contributing $746,863 for a total of $1,448,606.
Tennessee
The Tennessee General Assembly appropriated $7,190,963 for the Tennessee Arts Commission, which includes approximately $4 million in revenue from the state license plate program and $613,500 from the NEA. This represents a $630,963 increase over last year’s budget. This year, Tennesseans for the Arts is conducting a series of seven local legislative receptions with legislators to educate and strengthen the arts in Tennessee.
Texas
The State of Texas budget is biennial as it only meets every other year. For FY 2006, the Texas legislature appropriated $4,589,324 to the Texas Commission on the Arts. Unfortunately, the governor cut $314,252 by veto from their budget, which was the commission’s information resource line item. Therefore, the final budget is $4,275,072 which is a decrease of $235,180. The NEA grant to Texas this year will be $791,200.
Utah
The Utah legislature appropriated $2,602,700 for this year’s Utah Arts Council budget, which is a modest $38,000 increase. The NEA will be contributing $689,500 to the council for a total budget of $3,292,200.
Vermont
The Vermont Council on the Arts is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. To help make the year a success, the Vermont State legislature provided $763,618 in funding for the council, which is $244,000 increase. The majority of the increase comes from the legislature providing $200,000, instead of $50,000 to fund the Cultural Facilities Grant Program. Andrea Stander, of the council, credits this increase to educating legislators about the 17 point recommendations contained in the recent study, Advancing Vermont’s Economy.
Virginia
After a few tough years, the Virginia legislature has found itself relatively flush with cash due to unexpected state revenues. Thus, the legislature provided $3,543,393 to the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which is a $541,860 increase over last year. Additionally, with the NEA grant of $591,800, their total budget will be $4,135,195.
Washington
The Washington State legislature got off to a late and rocky start this year with the court challenges to their gubernatorial election. But, once started, the legislature appropriated $2,322,000 for the Washington State Arts Commission, which is a modest $15,147 increase. The legislature, since it operates on a biennial budget, appropriated $2,349,000 for FY 2007. The commission also expects to receive $650,000 per year from the NEA.
West Virginia
In West Virginia, the arts council is a "Section" of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Because of this, the agency’s operating and salary appropriations are lumped in with the overall Culture and History Division’s operating budget. This year, the legislature has appropriated $810,000 in competitive arts grants and $750,000 in capital grants. Unfortunately, the capital grants appropriation has been decreased from $3,000,000 in previous years because the legislature has taken money from the division’s capital grants to fund the renovation of the West Virginia State Capital.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is another state that has a biennial budget. This season’s appropriations process tested the advocacy ability of Arts Wisconsin under the leadership of Anne Katz. The legislature appropriated $2,386,300 for the Wisconsin Arts Board for FY 2006, which is a $226,500 increase. At one point, the legislature had cut five percent from the board’s budget, but the governor line-item vetoed that reduction, restoring $242,000 to the board.
Wyoming
The Wyoming legislature appropriated $647,495 to the Wyoming Arts Council, which is a major increase of $215,001. Additionally, the council will receive $580,200 from the NEA for this year’s budget.
