Grass-roots WINS: GA arts funding restored! [dkos]

Originally published Daily Kos, April 20, 2010 

In the past two days, I’ve posted diaries about the budget bill that was passed last week by the Georgia State House, which in a bone-headed move eliminated the Georgia Council for the Arts (GA-Pics of protest and GA House: State Arts Council on guillotine). Within two days, a grass-roots group formed to publicly demonstrate, form phone chains, and throw everything we had into a hail-mary play.

Today the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $17.8 billion budget that includes money the House had stripped from the arts council. The GCA, which provides seed money for start-up arts-related organizations, will not be wiped off the face of Georgia.
Yay!


POLL

After reading this blog, I feel
52%  thrilled that this grass-roots movement prevailed.
36%  relieved that Georgia won't add to its ass-backwards reputation.
5%   angry that our tax dollars support arts & culture despite what you say.
5 %   hungry for pie.

Pictures of Protest Preserve Georgia Council for the Arts [dkos]

Originally posted Daily Kos 4.20.10

On Friday, I wrote a diary  that the Georgia House passed a state budget that disappears the Georgia Council for the Arts. This is truly a national issue, because when one state eliminates its Arts Council, many more will jump on the budget-busting wagon.

Over the weekend, a facebook page called "Artist march on the Capitol" got 611 confirmed attendees and 781 who might attend. People came from Macon, Augusta and Athens, and the line of marchers stretched nearly the entire mile-long route to the State Capitol. There, we gathered on the steps to hear speakers, perform according to our talents, and chant "Save the Arts!"

I’d say it was a successful demonstration.

So herewith photographs of the event.

Thank you all for your support.

. 

.

This bone-headed move would make Georgia the only state in the U.S. without a state-level arts council.

Invoking the incredible Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Some had a snarky tone.

Others were a bit more direct.

This really old guy was a hoot. He shuffled along with his walker in his skeleton suit, and when I asked if I could take his picture, he launched into a sort of parallel-bars routine.

Nuff said.

Do I dare quote T. S. Eliot at a demonstration?

As long as we stayed off the grass, they chanted "Save the arts!" right along with everyone else.
 

And finally, of course, the sign of Daily Kos. Vincenzo Tortorici, puppeteer extrodinaire, with Trickster, got up and made a speech, which was intelligent and well-received.

 An hour after the demonstrators dispersed, a handful of us went to the office of Jack Hill (R-Reidsville), chair of the appropriations committee. Although he wasn’t available, we had a lively conversation bombarding his two aides with everything we had. They said there have been lots of phone calls and people are very upset. Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the committee will meet to decide the fate of HB 947, and I plan to be there, and if given the opportunity, will address our esteemed state senators. I'll let you know how it goes.

POLL

This demonstration rocked because:

52% It was a real grass-roots uprising 

20% Every single sign was spelled correctly and used proper grammar.

16% There were musicians, dancers, actors and artists, but no mimes.

 8% A puppet made a great speech. 

 4% Actually, it sucked because they didn't give out free pie.

Georgia State Arts Council on Guillotine [dkos]

Originally published Daily Kos April 16, 2010

The Georgia House on Wednesday passed a $17.8 billion state budget that would wipe out the Georgia Council for the Arts.
 
Georgia would become the only state in the U.S. without an arts agency if the plan holds as the budget works its way through the Senate before going to the governor.

The National Endowment for the Arts sent a letter warning that nearly $900,000 in federal arts funding falls in jeopardy if the is eliminated.

Governor Sonny Perdue’s proposed budget cuts include ending funding for the Georgia Cultural Affairs. The plan is to fold it into the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, an organization with no interest, nor experience, in the arts; neither do they have what it takes to apply for arts funding (public and private), run appropriate public relations, or even stage a simple juried exhibition.

I’d love to go into all the things Perdue has done that placed so much pressure on the state’s budget. Like his pet project, "Go Fish," a huge and very expensive complex designed to push what a great place Georgia is to fish. Not only were the bonds issued tax-free, but when across-the-board budget cuts were made, "Go Fish"  was exempt.

Did I mention that the entire shebang is located in the community next-door to where the Governor lives?

Then there’s the matter of losing $20 million in Federal transportation funds because of Georgia’s seat belt law, which exempts drivers of pick-up trucks (whether the vehicle is used for business or not).
Metro arts groups are scrambling to organize patrons, artists and supporters to lobby state senators before they consider the bill. Four legislative days remain in the session, set to conclude April 29.

A coalition of artists plans to show support for the Georgia Council for the Arts by marching on the Capitol on Monday, April 19th, departing at 1:00 pm from the Rialto Theatre.

There is a Facebook page for the protest ("Artist march on the Capitol").
Please send emails and faxes to the head of the Senate Budget and Evaluation Office:

Paul D. Coverdell Legislative
Office Building, Suite 208
18 Capitol Square
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
(404) 463-1970
(404) 463-0346 FAX
Senate.Budget@senate.ga.gov

This diary is based on "State cutbacks put Georgia arts funds in jeopardy" and and "Artists to demonstrate against state's budget cuts," both by Howard Pousner in The Atlanta Journal Constitution.