Author: Mary L. Eckstein, Mary L. and Leong, Susie

Publication Year: 2004

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Recognizing that national issues and conditions affect state and local levels, in 2003 the Center for Arts and Culture began a project to examine how government policies affect community based cultural organizations. Because reduced state funding directly impacts local support for the arts—but is not discussed or monitored as closely and systematically as at the state-level—this project is proving to have strong resonance among local communities across the country. State and local budget cuts have caused many cultural organizations to merge or simply go out of business. How local and grassroots cultural organizations respond to these tough economic times is an important and pressing cultural policy concern.

Abstract:

Recognizing that national issues and conditions affect state and local levels, in 2003 the Center for Arts and Culture began a project to examine how government policies affect communitybased cultural organizations. Because reduced state funding directly impacts local support for the arts—but is not discussed or monitored as closely and systematically as at the state-level—this project is proving to have strong resonance among local communities across the country. State and local budget cuts have caused many cultural organizations to merge or simply go out of business. How local and grassroots cultural organizations respond to these tough economic times is an important and pressing cultural policy concern.

Generous funding for the project was provided by the Nathan Cummings Foundation.According to Claudine Brown, Program Director for Arts and Culture of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, projects such as this are important because they are able to “facilitate discussions between policymakers and grassroots practitioners.The Nathan Cummings Foundation believes that it is important for the work of the policy community to be informed by research as well as evolving community practice.” [Introduction, p.1]

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Funding, Cultural Planning