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Urge Mayor Street and Philadelphia City Council Members to restore $4 million in public funding to arts and culture

Call To Action: News from the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

RALLY FOR THE ARTS: MAY 7, 2004, at 4PM
Love Park, 15th & JFK Boulevard
Join hundreds of advocates, neighbors, arts lovers and artists as we demonstrate, illuminate, and celebrate the cultural and economic contributions of Philadelphia's art institutions.

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Mayor Street's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2005 includes cuts for arts and culture that amount to $4 million. The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Atwater Kent Museum have been proposed at zero funding. The Philadelphia Cultural Fund is recommended to receive $1 million - a 60% cut from this year’s level of funding. Other organizations specifically mentioned at reduced levels include the African American Museum, Historic Philadelphia, the Avenue of the Arts, and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office. Above this $4 million cut to arts and culture, libraries have been also been proposed at reduced funding levels. If approved, these cuts will be hard felt by all constituencies served by Philadelphia’s arts and culture community.

To read more about Mayor Street's proposed budget, visit:

Philadelphia Inquirer | 3/19/2004 | Street’s Budget: Tweaks, Fine Trims
www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/8222146.htm

Philadelphia Daily News | 3/19/2004 | Street’s Spending Plan Provides Dose of ‘Harsh But Effective’ Rx www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/8224021.htm

Philadelphia Inquirer | 3/18/2004 | Street Presents New City Budget
www.philly.com/mld/philly/8218426.htm

KYW News1060.com | 3/18/2004 | Mayor’s $3.4 Billion Budget Includes Rec Center Closures
www.kyw1060.com/news_story_detail.cfm?newsitemid=36172

LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
City Council will have the opportunity to review the budget proposal, make any changes, and then adopt an actual budget by June 1, 2004. The mayor will then have to veto or approve the budget in its entirety. Public Hearings regarding the City's cultural funding will be held as follows:

• 4/20/2004
  10:30am - 11:00am - Philadelphia Museum of Art
  12:15pm - 12:30pm - Atwater Kent Museum
• 5/4/2004
  10:15am - 11:00am - Free Library of Philadelphia
  11:30am - 12:00pm - City Rep. & Dept. of Commerce (includes PCF, Public Art, and Office of Arts & Culture)
• 5/10/2004
  1:30pm - 3:00pm; 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Public Testimony - Peggy Amsterdam, President, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, will testify.

All Hearings will be in held Council Chambers, Room 400, City Hall.

MAKING THE CASE - COMMUNICATION TIPS
This issue requires a strong visual form of advocacy. Therefore, writing letters and attending meetings and hearings are important. In your verbal and written communications remember to make the points that are the most compelling to arts and culture as a whole and regarding the constituencies you serve.

The following two quotes are great points to make in any communication. For additional points to highlight, visit the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance website at www.philaculture.org.

• $4 million in cultural spending is equal to a mere 12 cents on every $100.00 dollars in the City’s budget.

• Contributes $6.5 million annually in Philadelphia sales and wage taxes.

Greater Philadelphia’s Competitive Edge, Pennsylvania Economy League, May 1998.

Remember, your own impact data and the personal stories of people you serve are often the most gripping and the easiest to convey.

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