Dear Friends and Arts
Supporters,
Louisiana Citizens
for the Arts (formerly Louisiana Partnership for Arts Advocacy), urges you to
request Members of House Appropriations Committee to Vote FOR a restoration of
Arts Funding - Contact these Legislators NOW!
Please take 3 minutes to contact Committee Members NOW. It's as easy as 1. . 2. . 3 . . just go to http://louisianacitizensforthearts.org
Here's How - Under the Take Action box:
“Click Here to Write Your Legislators” and you will be taken to the ALERT page.
Under Louisiana, click Take Action. You'll see the action alert at the top of the page and as you scroll down, you will see the MESSAGE to the members of the House Appropriations Committee. Feel free to personalize the beginning to share your passion.
Please take 3 minutes to contact Committee Members NOW. It's as easy as 1. . 2. . 3 . . just go to http://louisianacitizensforthearts.org
Here's How - Under the Take Action box:
“Click Here to Write Your Legislators” and you will be taken to the ALERT page.
Under Louisiana, click Take Action. You'll see the action alert at the top of the page and as you scroll down, you will see the MESSAGE to the members of the House Appropriations Committee. Feel free to personalize the beginning to share your passion.
Scroll down to the Sender Information. If you have never sent a CapWiz message, you will need to complete the information requested. Once this is done, just hit "send message" and you're done!
Don't forget to forward this message on to all your friends and other arts advocates. Remember, with your help we were able to have the arts funding reinstated last year. We NEED everyone's help again this year to do it again!
Below is a detailed explanation of the current situation.
What’s happening?
Both the Decentralized Arts Funding (DAF) and the Statewide Arts Grants (SAG) programs have been targeted with crippling cuts. In the current bill all that’s remaining for DAF is $1 million and only $959,000 remains for SAG which represents a 60% reduction in funding levels from Fiscal Year 2009. When fully funded, each program received approximately $2.5 million in state general fund dollars. It is extremely important that you contact the members of the House Appropriations NOW to show your support.
Louisiana Citizens for the Arts is urging an addition of $1 Million of funding to the DAF program and an additional $1 million to the SAG program, which would place each at or near the $2 million level. The DAF program supports organizations in EVERY parish on a per capita basis. The SAG program provides stabilization, capacity building and arts in education grants to our major arts organizations and local arts agencies. Studies show that arts grants actually GENERATE seven new dollars for the state's tax coffers for every one dollar spent.
How are YOU affected?
If these cuts come to pass, the cultural-economic engine and tourism industry of Louisiana will experience a severe ripple effect--potentially devastating for many. These cuts affect artists, teachers, non-profit organizations, festivals, libraries, museums and theaters alike. No community will remain untouched and the economic loss will rank second only to the loss in social profit, community and quality of life. Culture is Louisiana’s finest natural resource. We need to nurture and protect it for it to flourish.
How can you help?
Make your voice heard! Send a message today asking the House Appropriations Committee members to support our request for the increase in funding. Go to www. http://louisianacitizensforthearts.org
and TAKE ACTION NOW!
Christie Weeks, Chair
Gerd Wuestemann, Vice-chair for Advocacy
Tommy Usrey, Past Chair
LOUISIANA CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS
To become a contributing member of LCA, go to http://louisianacitizensforthearts.org
LCA is supported solely by donations from citizens, businesses, and organizations who believe the arts are essential to our Louisiana economy, identity and way of life.. You can help at www.LouisianaCitizensfortheArts.org
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