"The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the arts in the U.S. are at an all-time economic high. The latest Arts & Culture Production Satellite Account data shows that Maryland's arts sector adds nearly $13 billion to the state economy, supports more than 80,000 jobs, and contributes $7.3 billion to arts workers compensations." Amanda Winters 4/29/2024
It's that time of year when Maryland Citizens for the Arts (MCA) and advocates across the state are monitoring this year's session of the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis, particularly last week when Governor Wes Moore released his budget proposal. While the initial news for the arts was positive, the subsequent Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) contained grave concerns that MCA and the field must address.
In his fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, Governor Moore recommended maintaining MSAC's current level of funding and fully funding the arts and culture capital budget at $3 million—a total budget of $34 million for the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). Level funding is good news, considering the $2 billion worth of proposed cuts across the state budget.
However, in the Governor's BRFA, which outlines changes to budget laws and mandates, he has proposed eliminating MSAC's thirty-year-old funding formula (the Arts Stabilization Act or ASA), known in legislative terms as a mandate. The ASA is critically important because it ensures steady support for the arts and isolates arts funding from the ups and downs that can occur upon the change of administration.
According to the Department of Budget and Management, the BRFA has provisions eliminating the arts and most other mandates across various sectors. While not unexpected, given the current state of Maryland's budget, it is deeply concerning. MCA has directed advocates to ask their lawmakers to:
Reject the proposed elimination of the funding formula for the Maryland State Arts Council found in the 2025 Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act.
Support fully funding MSAC at the mandated level of $31 million and
Support fully funding the Arts and Culture Capital Grant Program at $3 million.
Make your voice heard and sign up for MD Arts Day on February 13, 2025, in Annapolis. Early Bird rates are still available here.
You will also be interested to know that State Delegate Elizabeth Embry is introducing a Commissioned Public Arts-Artists Rights Bill that protects artists rights by not allowing an entity receiving state funding to require artists to waive their Federal VARA rights (Visual Artist Rights Act of 1990) or copyright protections. The protection is not only for artists but, by extension, to preserve the integrity of works of art, the public's interest in protecting its investment, and that the cultural legacy is served.
Thank you to Nicholas Cohen and the entire MCA team for providing this vital information and working tirelessly on behalf of the arts community.
In solidarity,
Jeannie
