The University isn’t the only thing to be affected by next year’s budget.
Decentralized Arts Funding (DAF) and Statewide Arts Grants (SAG) for the state were cut to $1 million each, down from the $2.5 million both had received in 2009.
SAG supports larger organizations, while DAF feeds smaller, grassroot ones.
Without funding, these groups could be forced to close, according to Gerd Wuestemann, executive director at Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette.
Wuestemann said the cuts are serious because of the arts’ cultural significance to the state.
“Culture is arguably our greatest tourist attraction, our biggest quality of life producer and is one of the biggest revenue makers,” Wuestemann said. “People travel here for the cultural experience.”
These experiences include things like seeing a performance from the Baton Rouge Little Theater or Of Moving Colors Productions, both of which are supported by DAF funds, according to Laura Larkin, grants director for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge.
The DAF and SAG also fund exhibits put on by the LSU Museum of Art and supported bringing Ellis Marsalis to the LSU Theater in 2011.
“All events put on by these organizations we fund will be struggling,” Larkin said.
Wuestemann said the cuts have been so severe that Festival International, an annual music festival in downtown Lafayette, has stopped applying for grants because “there’s so little to gain” from applying.
These cuts also affect the local economy, according to Wuestemann.
“We estimate for each dollar invested in arts funding, [that’s] $24 in the local economy,” he said. “People come to a show, buy a ticket, have a drink beforehand, have dinner after and maybe stay in a hotel overnight. All those feed back into the local economy.”
Wuestemann also said the arts are one of the best tools to “keep our best and brightest in the state” by attracting businesses to the area.
“It contributes to economic development on all levels,” he said.
While that may be true, art isn’t seen as a priority around the state, if the cuts are any indication.
“Art and culture are considered a luxury that happen after everything else is taken care of,” Wuestemann said.
Sara Granados, graphic design junior, cited the condition of the Art and Design building on campus as an example of the lack of concern for art.
“It’s run-down and nasty,” Granados said. “It’s just not very popular, even at LSU. A lot of people don’t want to major in art.”
But she agreed art is crucial to Louisiana’s culture.
Wuestemann urged everyone to contact their respective elected officials to show their support for the arts.
“I think it’s important to hear from us,” he said. “Students should be at the forefront of this.”
Contact Taylor Balkom at [email protected]