Local arts groups benefit from state budget increase
- Published: August 3, 2011
Despite the national trend of states decreasing funding for arts and culture, funds allocated for Ohio’s cultural organizations, including several in Yellow Springs, have been increased by 30.5 percent for 2012. Though such appropriations to state arts agencies nationwide have decreased an average of 5.8 percent, with 42 states either decreasing or plateauing funds, a 2012 fiscal year budget of $17,211,408 was awarded to the Ohio Arts Council. The increase in budget is due mainly to advocacy efforts undertaken by Ohio Citizens for the Arts, and supported by Culture Works and a number of other Dayton-area citizens.
After Governor John Kasich proposed cutting the Ohio Arts Council’s budget by 19.5 percent in March, the Ohio Arts Council testified before the subcommittee on higher education. The budget bill then advanced to the full house for consideration, where it passed on May 5 with an additional $3 million provided for the arts. On July 1, Kasich signed off on the Ohio House and Senate’s budget recommendation for increased funding.
The new budget has resulted in an increase in grants awarded to many Dayton-area arts agencies, including Yellow Springs’ own Antioch Review, Antioch Writers’ Workshop and YS Kids Playhouse.
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