Kansas City, MO – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announced an additional $204 million dollars in spending cuts on Wednesday due to declining state revenue. The cuts in the fiscal 2010 state budget include $4.4 million from the Missouri Arts Council and $2.2 million from its cultural partners, including public broadcasting.
The Missouri Arts Council provides over $8 million a year to nonprofit organizations through grants. Executive Director Beverly Strohmeyer says she anticipates no changes this fiscal year to grants awarded in July. Strohmeyer says she remains cautiously optimistic that it may not be a permanent cut.
"I was told if the state's revenue improves before the end of the fiscal year, these expenditure restrictions may be released," says Strohmeyer. "And so we may get part or all of the funds. But, if they don't we will take the funds out of our trust to make up the difference."
The Arts Council is able to access money from the Cultural Trust Fund. This fund receives annual income tax paid by non-resident professional athlete and entertainers.
