Fiscal Note
Grant monies of $35,000 and offsetting expenditures of an additional $35,000 for arts grants are included in the 2009 Executive Operating budget of the Planning Division. Total funding for arts grants in the Planning Division budget is increased to $102,000 in the 2009 Executive Budget. There is no net impact on the levy.
Title
Accepting grant monies not to exceed $35,000.00 for the Madison Arts Commission annual grants program.
Body
WHEREAS, over the last two decades, the Madison Arts Commission has become an increasingly important resource for area artists and organizations as they strive to enrich the cultural lives of Madison residents; and
WHEREAS, Madison Arts Commission grants endorse projects that have high community value and share the values of Madison's Healthy City Report; and
WHEREAS, City support allows grant recipients to leverage additional funding from private sources, often in excess of ten times the amount of our seed investment; and
WHEREAS, the role of the Madison Arts Commission in Madison's cultural production is partially reflected in the appreciation of the City's annual arts grants, which in the last year alone saw a 25% increase in the number of applicants requesting financial support; and
WHEREAS, The MAC annual grants program currently offers four types of grants: ArtWORKS!, Signature grants, and Project grants. ArtWORKS! grants provide support to artists and educators for art programs directed at K-12 students. The Signature grant provides support to one individual or arts group for new work (defined as work never before published, performed or exhibited). Project grants provide support to individual and performing artists and non-profit groups for projects that enrich the arts and culture of Madison; and
WHEREAS, The 2008 budget allocated $67,000, for "Art & Performance Contracts," enabling funding for 38 organizations with grants of up to $2,500.00; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, in response to increases in City support and the success of Madison's annual grants program, the Wisconsin Arts Board increased the amount of funding it offers the City of Madison through its regranting program, from $5,000 to $15,000, contingent on the City securing a new match for that amount; and
WHEREAS, the City has received a commitment of $5,000.00 from the John E. Johnson Fund, a component of the Madison Community Foundation towards the required match; and
WHEREAS, towards the Wisconsin Art Board's re-granting increase, which, if received, will exceed the funding match requirements put forth by the Wisconsin Arts Board regranting program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Madison Arts Commission is authorized to enter into agreements with the State of Wisconsin Arts Board, the Madison Community Foundation, and the American Girl Fund for Children for up to $35,000 in funding that will be used to fund arts and cultural projects beginning on June 1, 2009, and that the Director of the Planning Division is authorized to sign the agreements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these amounts will be added to the 2009 Operating Budget for "Art & Performance Contracts" upon receipt.