The INDsider -> Mary Tutwiler THU, MAR 26 5:27AM by Mary Tutwiler

Jindal proposes deep cuts to arts funding

Louisiana’s arts councils are not immune to the state’s sweeping budget cuts. Arts officials gathering in Baton Rouge yesterday for a meeting of the Louisiana Partnership for the Arts got the grim news. Gov. Bobby Jindal is proposing to cut nearly $2.5 million, an 83 percent reduction, from Decentralized Arts Funding. The sweeping cut would leave little more than $500,000 for DAF funding statewide. Jindal also proposed cutting statewide arts grants by 31 percent, slicing regional folklife funding in half and eliminating funding for artist fellowships.

“It would affect us dramatically,” says Acadiana Arts Council Executive Director Gerd Wuestemann. “If these cuts remain as proposed, it would kill the DAF program.”

In Acadiana, Decentralized Arts Funding is awarded through competitive grant proposals to arts organizations, city governments and non-profits in an eight-parish region. Some of the recipients of DAF grants are the Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week at Chicot State Park, Festival International, PASA, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and parks and recreation departments throughout Acadiana. 

Scott Hutchenson, assistant secretary of the state Office of Cultural Development in Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu’s office, says these grants are a tremendous economic boost to every parish in the state. “The cultural economy is a $10 billion industry supporting 144,000 jobs. It’s certainly worth the investment, and the return on the investment has been significant. Our cultural stakeholders have made the industry a significant player in Louisiana’s economic health.”

Both Landrieu's office and state arts organizations have vowed to work to change the proposed budget during the legislative session. "This is a significant cut," Hutchenson says of this year's proposal.

Adds Wuestemann, "We'll do whatever we can to fight these cuts."



Comments (12)add
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written by Avery 1978 , March 26, 2009 - 11:56 am
Add this to the pile of "ways Jindal will destroy this state."
Thanks Bobby.
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written by Patrick w. Juneau , March 26, 2009 - 12:40 pm
Republicans will be Republicans, cuts to education and to the arts, first priority.
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written by TJ , March 26, 2009 - 09:42 pm
Poor artists. Now they may actually have to get real jobs. Louisiana's unemployment rate is about 3% less than the national average. Why don't you add that fact to your pile? And what's the Democrats' priorities, raise taxes on the evil rich and give it to the poor slackers? Seriously, cry me a river.
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written by musician in Lake Charles , March 27, 2009 - 07:55 am
Now we know why everyone in Lake Charles keeps leaving for Texas. Thanks T.J., you're a real piece of work - like living on $20K a year to work for 60 hours a week isn't a real job?
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written by TJ , March 27, 2009 - 09:06 am
No one made you become a musician. If you want to make more than $20k a year you probably shouldn't be pursuing a career in music. I'm a musician too but I also went to college and got an education so that I wouldn't have to rely on the slim chance of being discovered.
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written by Dugan , March 27, 2009 - 05:06 pm
TJ...a Neanderthal Loser!
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written by Bruce , March 27, 2009 - 05:19 pm
OH MY GOD! He's cutting the budget during a recession! News flash, folks...this is how grown-ups handle an economic downturn. One alternative, I suppose, would be the Obama/Pelosi method (increase spending using stolen credit cards).

Do you people not understand this simple concept? Don't spend money you don't have. It's like maxing out your credit card on high-end electronics, then robbing your neighbors at gunpoint to pay the Visa bill.

It's insane. It's today's Democrat Party.
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written by JHM , March 27, 2009 - 07:27 pm
People may notin some cases have a clue how cutting this will affect them. Artists support many industries and sooner or later that bottom line is going to hurt folks who do not grasp that bottom line. Do not deceive yourself in believing it cannot and does not!
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written by Andre G , March 27, 2009 - 10:57 pm
Sorry, but I think its time for Arts Orgs to become a whole hell of a lot more self sufficient and sustaining.
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written by "Mexico" Pedro , March 30, 2009 - 08:29 am
The arts stink around here away. I have not seen a velvet painting in years.
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written by another musician , April 06, 2009 - 07:11 am
one of the few things that LA has going for it is its culture and arts....way to go jindal....now we can really be at the bottom in everything!!!
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written by Folk Artist , August 26, 2009 - 05:42 pm
What most folks don't seem to understand is that the artists themselves rarely receive actual $$ from these grants...most of the $$$ are used for education, as well as "seed money" that funds programs which directly increases tourism. This, in turn, actually CREATES jobs. In spite of our reputation for being at the bottom of most "lists", Louisiana is a uniquely culturally diverse state. The arts do an excellent job of potraying this fact. The current return for each DOLLAR spent on the arts gives a return of SIX DOLLARS. I have noticed that, even in these challenging economic times, sports in Louisiana has not suffered in the same manner as other programs. Currently, plans for the new La. Sports Hall of Fame (projected cost of over $18 million)are going full steam ahead... God forbid that we would do something really drastic to save our state - like getting rid of the perpetually low ranked New Orleans Saints. Does cutting the arts and education, while allowing football to remain the holy grail say something about our values in this state? No wonder we're always at the bottom...
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