Advocating for Arts Funding: Arts, Culture & Tourism Day at the State Capitol
Advocating for Arts Funding: Arts, Culture, Tourism Day at the State Capitol
Recently, the Trump administration and D.O.G.E (Department of Government Efficiency) announced sweeping funding cuts to the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS), the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH), and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). These cuts are already having a profound impact of cultural organizations across the state.
On May 7th, we partnered with the Connecticut Arts Alliance and headed to the State Capitol to advocate in support of HB 1551, which will help offset some federal funding cuts by directing more state funding to the Arts, Culture, and Tourism sector through 1% of the meals tax.
SB 1551, AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S SPENDING ON ARTS AND HUMANITIES ACTIVITIES
Litchfield County displayed strong leadership for the initiative. Rufus de Rham of Kent, Director of the CT Arts Alliance, spoke passionately about the important economic implications of the funding allocation.
The region also showed bipartisan support as State Representative Maria Horn (D) and State Senator Stephen Harding (R) both advocated for the importance of increased arts & culture funding.
