Local government support for the 50 largest local arts councils in nation the will increase by 4.9 percent to an estimated $253.8 million in 2000, according to a recent report by Americans for the Arts. Mirroring the rising budgets of state arts agencies, urban arts councils have seen local dollars increase for eight consecutive years. Since 1992, funding from local government for members of the United States Urban Arts Federation has grown 70 percent.

USUAF expects more good news in the near future as 66 percent of agencies anticipate increased support from city government over the next three years. At least 89 percent of USUAF agencies questioned thought funding from all sources, including government, foundation and corporate, would increase or maintain growth over the next three years. When asked about the importance of state government support, 78 percent of USUAF agencies cited it as extremely important or important.

Funds received by USUAF members support a variety of organizations, programs and individuals. Roughly 94 percent of agencies fund organizations and 54 percent provide individual artists grants. USUAF entities, much like state arts agencies, are linking their arts programming to broader policy goals.

For more information contact Eric Olsen at 202/347-6352 or email eolsen@nasaa-arts.org.

STATES INCREASE SUPPORT FOR ARTS EDUCATION 

Awards from state arts agencies to arts education programs supported 7,536 projects in 2,622 communities across the nation in fiscal year 1998. State arts agencies devoted $43.1 million to arts education, which was a significant amount of their total resources: 28 percent of all grants and 17 percent of all grant dollars. 

Those dollars supported artist residencies, professional development and curriculum development, and helped leverage an arts education investment of local and private matching funds totaling $750 million. State arts agency allocations for arts education continue to grow. From FY 1992 to FY 1998, arts education grant dollars increased by 74 percent. In that same period, appropriations to state arts agencies grew by only 42 percent. Staff members devoted to arts education occupy 45 full-time state arts agency positions, more than any other program.

"As the OAAE continues its work, we want to be part of it," said Michael Bacon. "We want all children to have the opportunities afforded to us as children growing up in Philadelphia. When I was in the eleventh grade and a member of the All Philadelphia High School Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski came and conducted his own orchestration of Bachıs Passacaglia and Fugue. I will never forget that experience and the impact it had on me. We want all children to have quality education that includes the arts as part of the core subject areas. Supporting arts education is everyoneıs responsibility. We hope the people of Ohio will join us in our mission."

For more information about the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education contact Donna Collins at 614/224-1060 or email OAAEed@aol.com. For more information on The Bacon Brothers, visit www.baconbros.com.

September 1, 2000
Individual Artist Fellowships deadline

Traditional Arts Apprenticeship deadline