Local Arts Advocacy: Tips and Tools

NYSCA BUDGET LANGUAGE

The budget language has varied little since 1974. The language seeks to do several things:

1. It establishes who may be funded: The language restricts funding to nonprofit groups, and excludes public schools and colleges and State agencies, or organizations associated with them, from receiving Council funds.

2. It requires an allocation Plan: It requires that after appropriation, the Council shall distribute funds on the basis of a plan developed with the State Division of the Budget-the "allocation plan". The purpose is to maintain a division between the prerogatives of the Legislature, which are to provide appropriate but general funding levels, and the responsibilities of an Executive agency, which are to determine the best way in which to use the funds to meet the purposes and intents of the appropriation. The language requires that the Legislature be informed of the allocation plan, but does not give the Legislature the right to veto any part of the plan.

3. It establishes uses to which grants may be put: The first specification-"cultural or artistic activities directly undertaken by the grantee"-is conventional, but the others are not. The other clauses authorize the Decentralization program and the fellowship program at the Foundation. Funded activities are restricted to a 12-month period. The language also says the Council may grant funds for administrative operating expenses, support of cultural programming, aid for developmental projects, and the provision of technical assistance. Organizations must provide reports on the expenditure of funds, and use the moneys as an addition to, and not a replacement for, other support.

4. It establishes criteria for making awards: The criteria are
· The nature and significance of the cultural services offered
· The number of people and the geographic area served
· The number and nature of other cultural services available
· The nature and extent of both public and private local support, and
· Other factors deemed appropriate to provide maximum encouragement and assistance for maintenance and development of the public availability of cultural resources of the state.

5. It establishes Primary and Per Capita Requirements: The per capita requirement says that a portion of funds must be allocated on an equalized basis. The primary organization requirement says that in making awards the Council must consider the significance of the arts groups applying. NYSCA defines primary arts institutions as "eligible arts organizations which, by the quality of their arts services, their stature as art institutions on a state or national level, or by the importance of their contribution to a significant population or arts discipline in which they specialize, are particularly important to the cultural life of New York State, and the loss of which or the diminution of services would, in the opinion of the Council, constitute a serious artistic loss to the people of the State."

The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a long history as New York's primary service association for community based arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen community cultural organizations. The Alliance monitors, informs and mobilizes the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support and developing effective grassroots public policy.ing community support and developing effective grassroots public policy.

245 Love Lane, P.O. Box 96
Mattituck, NY 11952-0096
Phone (631) 298-1234 / Fax (631) 298-1101