Ohio Arts Council Announces Budget Cuts
by Jami Goldstein
In order to address a projected budget shortfall that may range between $733 million and $1.9 billion by the end of June 2009, Governor Strickland (through Executive Order 2008-01S) has directed agencies to implement more than $733 million in cost savings, management strategies, program reductions and efficiencies. Cuts are required because the Ohio Constitution mandates a balanced budget at the end of each year.
The Ohio Arts Council’s 2008/2009 biennium budget was reduced by 10 percent. This reduces the original appropriation of $24,976,322 by a total of $2,497,632 for a new appropriation of $22,478,690 for the biennium.
“After last week’s wonderful Arts Day celebration, it was with great regret that we announced this reduction to the field,” OAC Executive Director Julie Henahan stated. “We do, however, take some comfort in the knowledge that without the 11 percent increase we received from the governor and the Legislature last July, the impact of this reduction would have been much more difficult.”
The Ohio Arts Council’s primary goal was to minimize the impact this cut would have on grantees. Therefore, this cut was executed in three ways: 1) reducing programs which had remaining balances, or unallocated funds, 2) by reducing the agency’s administrative budget, and 3) by cutting existing grants.
All unpaid grants in the following programs were reduced by 7.68 percent:
• Sustainability (over $1.5 million)
• Sustainability (under 1.5 million)
• Arts Access
• Arts Innovation
• Arts Learning—Arts Partnerships
• Building Cultural Diversity Initiative
• Capacity Building
• Individual Creativity—Artists and Communities
• International Partnership
• Traditional Arts Apprenticeships
The Individual Creativity Excellence Awards, which were reviewed and approved by the Council Board at its February 28 meeting, are included in the recommended cuts. Excellence Awards originally recommended for $5,000 will be reduced to $4,000 and those originally recommended for $10,000 will be reduced to $8,000.
Since the cut occurred nearly 10 months into the fiscal year and some project grants had been paid in full, not all grants were available to reduce. The first cuts were taken from programs with remaining balances. This resulted in a lower than 10% reduction to grants already awarded.
The entire remaining unallocated balances in Capacity Building, International Partnerships and Arts Learning—Artist Express were used to help offset the reduction in the OAC budget and grant applications are no longer being accepted to these programs until Fiscal Year 2009 which begins July 1, 2008. Building Cultural Diversity Initiative and Artists with Disabilities Access Program each have small amounts of money available and applications may be submitted to these programs until remaining funds are expended.
As stated above, the remaining amount was taken from the OAC’s administrative line. Further cuts will be made in the administrative line in FY2009.
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
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