Advocates want arts protected from budget knife

Pennsylvania’s commitment to the arts is mostly remaining steady. But local advocates are trying to make sure state representatives continue that tradition in the face of looming budget cuts.

Pennsylvania’s commitment to the arts is mostly remaining steady. But local advocates are trying to make sure state representatives continue that tradition in the face of looming budget cuts.

Transcript:
In a meeting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art today, state representatives assembled to hear from Philadelphia arts and culture leaders about why they should not cut funding to the arts. The Village of Arts and Humanities, Fels Institute of Government and Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance all made their cases. Diane Dalto, chairman of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, says this is the way politics gets done.

Dalto: “When it comes down to the end of the budget process, it’s gonna be every man for himself. Every interest in the state is gonna be represented somewhere in the budget discussions and so the more legislators we have that have in the back of their mind, just a minute, let’s not cut the arts this time, the better off we hope we’ll be when the decisions are made.”

Governor Rendell has cut 4 percent of funding from The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, which funds 1400 arts organizations.  Legislators will negotiate proposed cuts and additions to the budget over the coming months.

Listen:
Click on the play button below or right click on this link and choose “Save Link As” to download. [audio: arts20090306cuts.mp3]