Friday, May 8, 2009

Before you vote, something to consider:

From ArtsQuest:

HELP US SAVE FUNDING FOR THE ARTS!!!
The Pennsylvania Senate approved their version of the budget for FY 09-10 (SB850).
SB 850, includes ZERO funding for Pennsylvania Council on the Arts arts grants.

If the Senate version prevails, beginning July 1, 2009 there will be no arts grants in Pennsylvania. This will directly impact the Lehigh Valley and all its great art and cultural programs.


Below is just a short list of some of the organizations that will be deeply impacted by this budget cut:


Arts Community of Easton
ArtsQuest
Bach Choir
Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
Godfrey Dainels
Illicks Mill Partnership
Lehigh University
Lafayette College
DeSales University
Moravian College Music Institute
Allentown Art Museum
Allentown Symphony
Banana Factory
Baum School of Art
Civic Theatre of Allentown
Liberty Bell Shrine
Mock Turtle Marionette Theatre
PA Shakespeare Festival
Musikfest
Celtic Classic
SouthSide Film Festival
PA Youth Theatre
PA Youth Ballet
MayFair
Lehigh Valley Arts Council
and so many more

Cultural arts really enhance the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley. It is so important that we let the Senate know that arts funding is important to us and to the economic vitality of the state.
Please contact your state senator today to let him/her know that $14 million for arts grants is important to you. If you wrote to your senator last week, give them a call today to tell them:
You don't support SB 850 with zero funding for arts grants and
You would like arts grants funded at the $14 million level.
You can find out contact information for your senator by visiting our Legislative Action Center at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102570078119&s=413&e=001N3cDoC-cRSOTkJ71uM6-1iPLwgbXStZK4CYyhwQAKQ6e0htjWwe9SzkyOo5xizR4ssPxZr--eWuw12tlwAscv4M21IB-qvBXfen5_k9WVJ-k5viXKOHWM3lVvzOEqP4HiKDUMwKmv_6y5tKzMVloHOat5DBR2Mt0 Type your zip code in the box at the top of the page and you will be taken to a page with information for all of your elected officials. Please personalize any phone conversation or letter that you may write with anecdotes about how arts funding has enriched your community.

Last of all, forward this e-mail to family, friends, co-workers, etc. and ask that they also contact their legislators in support of state arts funding. I'm singing to the choir, I know, but what a dreary state we would live in without the arts. If funding ceases to exist, that just may happen.
Thanks for all of your help with this important campaign.
If you have any questions, please contact Citizens for the Arts jlh@citizensfortheartsinpa.org or by phone at 717-234-0959.

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