To the Editor:

Funding for the arts in New York State is in deep trouble. Gov. Cuomo has proposed a 10 percent cut ($3.5 million) in funding for the state Council on the Arts budget that is used to provide grants to arts groups in communities throughout the state.

This cut is in addition to the 10 percent decrease in funding proposed for NYSCA staffing. Since 2008, NYS funding for the NYSCA has already been reduced from $55 million to $29 million. With these new proposed cuts, funding will be reduced to $26.5 million – a more than 50 percent reduction in less than three years.

The grants (local assistance) allocation of NYSCA has already experienced a 30 percent decrease since 2008. The impact of these cuts is felt by state residents in every locality, large and small, and by the hundreds of artists and arts organizations that produce, perform and provide programs. An additional 10 percent cut would be untenable and would be a blow to an important economic sector in the state.

The arts are a revenue producer for the state and the current per capita spending of $1.80 is very modest for such an important economic sector in our communities. While it is reasonable to expect the arts community to share the pain, a 2 percent cut would be fairer and more reasonable.

The arts in NYS generate $26 billion to the state’s economy. It is one of this state’s greatest economic engines. Since 1995, our organization has spent $800,000 ($420,000 for performers, $380,000 locally for auxiliary items). It has received $119,780 in state funds. This is an excellent economic return employing many people including high school students.

The NYSCA budget is a blip on the entire $136 billion 2010 budget and the proposed $132 billion proposed 2011 budget. If NYSCA was funded fully at $55 million it would still be an insignificant blip. What we in the arts are asking is that it is funded at 2 percent less than 2010 which is still about 48 percent less than 2008.

Governor Cuomo and the legislator need to compromise. To the arts community, including producers and consumers of the arts – action is in order here.

Contact your legislators asking them to restore $2.8 million of the funding for statewide arts grants. This would reduce the cut to NYSCA from 10 percent to 2 percent, more in line with proposed cuts in other sectors.

Joseph M. Liotta, President & Founding Program Director, Norwood Village Green Concert Series