Erie County funding for the arts
This has been available for a couple of weeks now, but I want to post up the page of Erie County's proposed 2010 budget that outlines funding recommendations for arts and cultural groups. In all, the county has allocated $5,066,500 to 43 arts and culturals.
Check out the recommendations in a PDF below, or download it here.
I'm glad to see that the county budget for the arts has decreased, but why should government funding for the arts be anything above zero? That applies from the local level to the federal government (NEA, etc.).
Posted by: rebelinabluestate | November 04, 2009 at 06:43 PM
This is nothing more than buying votes. If these "culturals" are so wonderful then they should have no problems coming up with donation money.
Look, the government is in a fiscal crisis. There is no need to extract untold millions from taxpayers because some well connected individuals arbitrarily assume that private organizations need our money.
This is waste draped in a banner of education and culture.
Posted by: Rob | November 05, 2009 at 12:05 AM
What an incredible waste of money! So Chris Collins or Lynn Marinelli know good art???
Shakespeare survived for 450 years without the help of Erie County. NY State will never learn until.
Posted by: pgr88 | November 05, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Rob... these are not private organizations. They are non-profit organizations. That is the reason there is government funding for them. Also, in case you haven't noticed, Buffalo has received a great deal very positive national press related to its cultural organizations. You want to cut the funding for one of the big draws to the area? Further, the arts organizations actually have a large impact on the local economy compared to the funding given to them by the county. Arts Organizations draw $141 million to the area compared to the $5 million they're being given. That's a big impact for the meager funding the organizations receive. If you want to talk about cutting handouts to private organizations, I'm all for it. No more funding for the Buffalo Bills or Bass Pro. But leave the Non-Profits alone.
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