HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-12 Arts Council MinutesSeptember 12,1991
Dear Arts Lottery Chairs, Members, Artists, Arts Organizations,
This summer the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Cultural Council
met to determine the breakdown of funding for Council programs, supported by
the three million, five hundred eighty-seven thousand dollars left in the overall
state budget for the arts. During the summer and now, we also hear from
Council staff that the agency can not be the same funding agency it was in the
past, and must develop new identities. Yet the decision to cut the three million
in half (half for arts lottery, half for. other Council programs), and to assign
only 2 of the 8 professional program staff to the lottery, seems like "business as
usual" to me. To leave 50% of the program funds and 75% of the program staff in
the hands of the "experts in the arts" misses an exciting and I would argue a
critical opportunity for program reform.
Over the history of the arts lottery program, we lottery council members,
artists, arts organizations, and audiences have helped broaden the very
definition of the arts in the Commonwealth's communities. We have made it
possible for literally thousands upon thousands of Massachusetts residents to
participate in the arts for the first time, to appreciate the local artist, to have
hands on experience in the arts, and more. We made it possible through the most
democratic, efficient.(remarkably less paper work than the other Council
programs) and accessible process the arts community in Massachusetts has ever
experienced. What an empowering experience for thousands that clearly played a
pivotal role in the political process this past spring.
Now this powerful grassroots political force created by the lottery, and
clearly needed to build the arts again in Massachusetts is threatened by a
short-sighted decision. With some local councils already having difficulty finding
volunteers, the funding cut , and minimal support from Boston gives the
message that local council's decisions are not valueable .
Why not put all program funds and disbursement of same in the hands of
local councils, close the Boylston Street suit-3, and put all eight programmers out
in the field to share their expertise in regional trainings, to provide state
guidelines-Ia,hd help in setting priorities, methods of evaluation and
accountability.` The added support and professional training would attract
motivated volunteers, and develop more and, inore,citizens with a critical eye for
the arts. And the hundreds of highly trained council members would become a
statewide organizing team for the arts to help prevent the disproportionate cuts
that occured this year from happening again.
Lets give the message to the Cultural Council this fall that we want
dramatic decentralization that is worthy of the arts lottery program. And let the
design of this new agency once again elevate Massachusetts to a model for the
nation's government support of the arts. Please call with your ideas (413-256-
0453.
Sincerely,~
Steve Stoia, Director, New England Puppetry &
Family Theater, 45 Ward
Amherst, MA. 01002