Support for Arts Jumps.

• Position: Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Legislative support for state arts agencies jumped 7 percent in FY 2000, reaching an all-time high of $396.5 million for education programs and grants to artists and art organizations in all disciplines. Many of the grants go to projects that focus on youth at risk, community building, economic development and cultural tourism.

Although funding to arts agencies is only a small portion of state general fund expenditures (about 81 cents of every $1,000 a state spends), legislatures nationwide have steadily increased support in recent years. Since 1993, total appropriations have jumped 88 percent. Between 1999 and 2000, 42 of the 56 state arts agencies enjoyed increases and 19 of these had a budget increase of more than 10 percent. Only 10 agencies received less funding and four remained the same. Nine agencies reported exceptional growth, with increases of more than 20 percent, while only three took precipitous drops of more than 20 percent.

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