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As we wind down the final hours of the Minnesota Legislature’s first special session of 2021, I am pleased to tell you arts funding for the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Council system is protected!
The Omnibus Legacy Finance bill was the first item to pass during the special session and includes the 47% allocated by law for the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Council system. These are critical funds for our statewide arts and culture ecosystem, especially during this time when so many organizations and artists have been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions.
Shortly after 2 a.m. this morning, the House and Senate gave their final passage to the Omnibus State Government ?bill and sent it along to Governor Walz for his signature. The bill holds intact $15,082,00 in funding for the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Council system for the 2022-2023 biennium, which MCA championed and you helped secure.
Although we secured leadership support for the $100 million Cultural Community Rescue Restart grants during this special session using one-time federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, we were unsuccessful in closing this long-shot request. However, there may be one-time dollars available to nonprofit arts and culture organizations impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions in the Ominbus State Government bill. We will be unpacking these details in the coming days and alerting you about opportunities available.
Throughout this very difficult year, MCA has been your champion at the Minnesota State Capitol. We take inspiration from our state’s artists and arts organizations in the ways the arts have brought hope, balm, and energy to the people of Minnesota during this pandemic and following the killing of George Floyd. Thank you, advocate, for doing your part to keep Minnesota arts funding strong!
As we close out our fiscal year today, MCA relies on you, our members, more than ever. All of our work is paid for by your membership dollars. As a 501(c)(4) lobbying organization, MCA receives no charitable support, no government funds, and no pandemic relief funds through PPP or other sources. Our strength lies in your membership dues and your advocacy work. If you have not done so yet, please click here to renew your membership today or visit our website for more details.
Thank you,
Jennifer Halcrow
Interim Executive Director