Milwaukee's art funding in danger

As you might have heard, the funding provided annually by the City of Milwaukee for the Milwaukee Arts Board is in real danger, so it is pertinent that we voice our opposition to the proposed budget cuts for the upcoming year.

We can express our concerns about the Arts Board funding at the Mayor and Common Council Joint Public Hearing on TUESDAY, October 13th at 6:00 pm, in the Council Chambers at the City Hall (Third Floor, 200 E. Wells St.)

If you cannot attend, you can also email the Mayor at mayor@milwaukee.gov.

BELOW, YOU'LL FIND THE LETTER WE RECEIVED FROM ALDERMAN MURPHY.

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Dear Members of the Milwaukee Arts Board and fellow Arts Organizations,

As you may already know, under Mayor Barrett’s proposed budget for 2010 the Milwaukee Arts Board will lose approximately two thirds of its funds. The Mayor has recommended cutting $110,000 from the 2009 allocation of $160,000. The subsequent result of this action will also be a loss of $25,000 matching grant dollars from the Wisconsin Art Board’s.

I am clearly opposed to such a cut; the largest reduction in any department. This proposal would result in a total loss of almost 75% of the board’s funds. I thus encourage you to attend the Joint Public Hearing being held by the Common Council and the Mayor Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 6:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers, Third Floor, City Hall, 200 E Wells Street, to share your concerns. As many factors are taken into consideration when determining the next year’s budget, it is important that the Common Council hear your voices in opposition to the Mayor’s budget.

I look forward to seeing you at the hearing to support art in the City of Milwaukee.

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call me at 286-3763.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Murphy

Alderman, 10^th District

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