2009
Legislative Agenda

1. INCREASE COMPETITIVE ARTS GRANT BUDGET TO $1.5 MILLION

We're asking for a $500,000 increase in the budget in order to:

• Increase the amount of funds available to West Virginia arts organizations in order to maintain and strengthen their programs*;
• Reinstate the minimum grant allocations to West Virginia's major arts institutions;
• Increase the amount of matching funds to leverage additional funding available to the WV Commission on the Arts from the NEA and foundations;
• Increase funding to "mid-level" arts organizations;
• Increase the level of support offered to rural arts initiatives;
• Increase the amount of funds going towards Arts in Education projects;
• Strengthen the Peer Assistance Network programs.

2. SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL # 559

This bill increases the allocations to the Cultural Facilities and Capitol Resource Matching Grant Program.

3. SUPPORT THE CREATION OF A LEGISLATIVE ARTS CAUCUS

This concept, introduced by Commissioner Reid-Smith, would form a caucus of state delegates and senators who are committed to supporting the arts in West Virginia.