Arts Council Facing Uncertain Future
Filed by Michael Cross in Art & Life, Local News, News, Politics.
January 29, 2013
The Oklahoma Arts Council is asking for an additional $500,000 to add to its $4 million dollar budget.
The request comes at a time lawmakers are considering defunding the agency altogether.
Kim Baker, the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Arts Council went before House and Senate members, just days after a bill was announced to end all funding for the agency in four years.
Baker says the agency is moving forward with its community outreach despite the concern over House Bill 1895.
“What we hope is that this is a great opportunity for us to educate Oklahomans about what we do, and the services that we provide to Oklahoma.”
Baker says $250,000 would go to Community Arts Programs and $250,000 for Arts Education Programs including a full time position to deal with art at the Capitol.
She says the Arts Council is a great investment when for every $1 allocated to the agency Oklahoma sees an $8 return.
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I really hope that their campaign to raise awareness and gain funding works! The loss of the Arts Council would be a huge blow to the cultural enrichment of the entire state.