Fulton Country to cut funding for the arts

Below is a letter from the Fulton County Arts Council that talent and industry professionals may find interesting. Please feel free to share.

 

As you may have recently read in last Sunday’s AJC, Fulton County is in a dire financial situation, looking at a possible $115m deficit.  I am reaching out to you to make you aware that as a part of a proposed resolution to this deficit, the current Interim County Manager has proposed a 100% cut to the Department of Arts and Culture.  Long story short…We need your help!  As someone who is either in the arts or has a strong appreciation for what art and culture means for this community, our Fulton County Commissioners MUST hear from you! 

 

     Over the past five years our budget has been cut an average of 14-20% annually, and since 2001 has been cut over one million dollars. Though these were difficult for the Arts in Fulton County, the cuts were proportionately aligned with all other departments within the County budget.  At this juncture, however, a 100% cut to the Department of Arts and Culture is in the County Manager’s top three recommendations!

 

    Our plea to you, as someone who is connected to arts and culture in this community, is for you, your staff, board, attendees and friends to IMMEDIATELY let your Commissioner know of their concern.  To let our voices be heard, we ask everyone who wants this to continue to be a healthy cultural community to do one or all of the following:

 

1)      Call your Commissioner and simply state that you are very concerned and not in favor of there being any cuts in the Dept. of Arts and Culture;

Note:  Phone numbers are below

 

2)       Send an email to your Commissioner stating that art and culture is an important part of the quality of life for those of us who live, work and play in Fulton County and that you urge them not to support the County Manager’s recommendation to cut the budget for the Dept. of Arts and Culture;

Note:  Email Addresses of Commissioners are below:

 

District 1 (At Large)     Chairman John Eaves                                                                                                  
Email: john.eaves@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-8206

 

District 2 (At Large)  Commissioner Robb Pitts
Email: robb.pitts@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-8210

 

District 3  Commissioner Liz Hausmann
Email: liz.hausmann@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-8213

 

District 4  Commissioner Tom Lowe
Email: tom.lowe@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-8218 

 

District 5   Commissioner Emma Darnell
Email: emma.darnell@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-8222

 

District 6    Commissioner Joan Garner
Email: joan.garner@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-8226

 

District 7   Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards
Email: commissioner.edwards@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-8230

 

3)      Attend the Board of Commissioners meeting (Wednesday, August 21st at 10:00AM) where this issue will be discussed and voice your concern during the public comment section. The meeting will be held at the Fulton County Govt. Complex, 141 Pryor Street, Atlanta, Georgia.  At this called meeting, they are scheduled to introduce the recent recommendations to the full Board.  Your presence is critical and extremely necessary to ensure we maintain a healthy Arts environment throughout Fulton County.

Note:  If you are an arts organization, please be prepared to share the impact of your organization (i.e. number of employees, number of attendees…especially if you can break those numbers down to number of seniors, youth/children, etc.)

 

     We are encouraging all in attendance to wear green so our presence can be easily recognized by the BOC.

 

    The Department of Arts and Culture, as well as the Fulton County Arts Council thanks you in advance.  This will be our only chance to communicate to the Commissioners the importance of Arts and Culture in our surrounding communities.

 

    Our thanks, in advance, for all you have and will continue to contribute to  Arts and Culture.  Please ACT TODAY to help stop this action by the Commission and allow Fulton County’s quality of life for families, children, seniors and artists remain alive and vibrant!

 

Warm regards,

 

The Fulton County Arts Council