Arts & the Economy

On June 30, the Arts Commission ended the FY2009 year with a cumulative total cut to the agency's state funds of 25.9 percent (compared to FY2008). The FY2010 budget began approximately at that same reduced amount. The Arts Commission continued the reductions that began in FY2009, including holding staff vacancies, 10 days of mandatory furlough for all staff, and reductions in travel, printing and other operational expenses.

For the last three years, the General Assembly has allocated $585,000 to the Arts Commission in the form of one-time, or non-recurring funds, earmarked specifically for grant making. This money is not part of the agency's annual budget, and we must request this money for grant making every year. These funds were not allotted for FY2010, however, the General Assembly did allocate $500,000 in federal stimulus funds to the Arts Commission. This one-time allotment replaced most of the $585,000 grant making funds, helping to prevent a drastic cut to grants.

Also in June, the Arts Commission was able to distribute $314,109 allocated from the National Endowment for the Arts under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). These one-time grants were awarded to 33 S.C. arts organizations in 13 counties to preserve nonprofit arts sector jobs threatened by the economic downturn. These grants helped secure 61 staff positions and 78 contract positions.

September 2009

The Arts Commission received a 4.04 percent cut to its FY2010 state appropriation. This cut was absorbed administratively through staff reductions, holding additional vacant positions open, and further reductions in travel and administrative costs. None of this cut was passed on to grantees.

For additional information, please contact your county coordinator, or call the Arts Commission at (803)734-8696.