Budget Hearing Addressed by Hampton Roads Arts and Culture Community

by Patricia Rublein, Executive Director-Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads and Member, Board of Directors–Virginians for the Arts

I am speaking today on behalf of the arts and cultural industry of Hampton Roads, home to more than 350 arts organizations and a vast number of individual artists, many of whom rely on the applied arts for their livelihood.

The arts in Virginia are a billion dollar industry. Significantly, the economic impact of non-profit arts organizations in Hampton Roads accounts for half that amount. The arts in Virginia include many rich offerings from museums, a major opera company, a nationally acclaimed symphony, theaters of size and lush dance companies. No less valuable are the smaller companies, ensembles and individual artists who work in every municipality.

Over the past decade many of our municipalities have relied on the arts industry to revive their economies – a trend that has proven most successful.

In the face of difficult financial times, it is perhaps easy to argue that the arts are not nearly as important as other basic survival needs. But, as you pursue your difficult budget discussions, please remember that the arts contribute mightily to Virginia’s workforce, and they provide opportunities for bread-winning employment. In short, the arts can be part of the solution to our financial challenges.

Arts and culture mean more to Virginia communities than mere window dressing. While they do nurture the spirit, they feed our economy. It takes legions to produce the kind of cultural life that Virginians enjoy. And it takes money. We recognize that Virginia is facing serious financial shortages resulting in the necessity to remove some subsidies from all facets of the state’s economy. But these actions must not result in permanent reversal of our vital arts economy. A healthy arts entity enhances our well-being and, at the same time, contributes to a healthy tax base.

The arts are a positive investment for state government. Virginia wants to attract and retain business, stimulate convention and visitor markets, increase retail activity and improve our image to residents and visitors alike. To do that, we need to recognize the importance of fostering high quality interrelationships with Virginia’s cultural institutions.

Subsidy is a critical fact of life for arts organizations everywhere. While we understand that such support needs to be trimmed for the immediate future, we respectfully request that funding for the Virginia Commission’s budget not exceed the 15% already articulated in the Governor’s proposal. Thank you for your time. We are grateful for this opportunity to participate in Virginia’s budget process.

Hearing held at Christopher Newport University - Performing Arts Center, Newport News.