Small community arts organizations would be hurt by federal funding cuts

The following letter dated March 17 was sent to New York State Senator Rich Funke, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation.
Dear Senator Funke and Members of the Committee on Cultural Affairs:
Yesterday the arts and culture received two big blows: one from the Federal Government in the defunding of the National Endowments and one from NY State, where a proposed $10 million lift to the NYS Council on the Arts was rescinded. The lift to the Council on the Arts was viewed by hundreds of small organizations statewide as vital to preserving strong community programs as we navigate the uncertainties of federal budget decisions.
We are a small organization that does not have the resources to lobby or keep up with every nuance of budget negotiations. But that doesn’t mean that we are indifferent or less affected. As you said when we visited you last year, $10 million in light of the overall budget is modest. For those of us who have transformed our communities through the arts, $10 million is a lifeline, not just for us but for the businesses and citizens who rely on our programs and audiences, and as a primary driver of tourism.
I hope you and Senate Committee members will fight to restore the proposed funding.
Sincerely,
Elaine Giguere, Executive Director
Delaware Valley Arts Alliance
Narrowsburg, N.Y.
delawarevalleyartsalliance.org