Critical Legacy Funding & Budget Update – April 8

Join MSAB Executive Director Sue Gens and MCA Lobbyists Joe Bagnoli & Tom Hanson (Winthrop & Weinstine) on Tuesday, April 8 at 10 AM (via Zoom) for an essential update on:

• Legacy Funding levels
• Budget projections
• The state’s misallocation of lottery funds—an issue that could directly impact your organization’s funding.

This session is a must-attend for Executive Directors, Finance and Advancement leaders, Fundraisers, Policy & Public Affairs professionals, and anyone involved in budgeting. Understanding these key financial and policy developments will help you prepare for potential shifts in state Legacy funding.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get the latest insights and ensure your organization is prepared.

Register for Webinar

Legislators are Listening—Thanks to You!

Your advocacy is making a real impact.

Late last week, the Senate Legacy Committee released and passed out of committee its update to the Legacy bill, and thanks to your efforts, senators upheld the 47% allocation for the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) and Regional Arts Council (RAC) system. This decision aligns with Governor Walz’s recent budget recommendation, reinforcing the state’s commitment to investing in a thriving arts community.

This victory is a direct result of your engagement, your voices, and the incredible turnout for Arts Advocacy Day. Legislators heard from artists, arts leaders, and advocates like you—and they listened.

But we’re not done yet.

The House Legacy bill is up next, and we need to ensure it reflects the same strong support for the arts. MCA is closely monitoring the process and will keep you informed on opportunities to take action.

Your membership makes this work possible. Together, we are protecting and strengthening arts funding in Minnesota.

Thank you for being a part of this movement—let’s keep the momentum going!

Creative MN Report Update

As MCA finalizes the Creative MN Economic Impact Report, we want to hear from you! How do you plan to use the findings from this important study?

Whether you’re an artist, arts organization, policymaker, or supporter, your insights will help us measure and communicate the value of the arts in our community.

Let us know how you feel!

How could Minnesota be affected by Federal cuts?

While Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) primarily focuses on state-level arts advocacy, we are also closely tracking federal actions that could impact arts funding, education, and cultural institutions in our state.

 Through our national partners, including Americans for the Arts, we are monitoring the latest executive orders and policy shifts that could have consequences for Minnesota’s creative sector. Here’s what you need to know:

• Executive Order to Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education: President Trump has signed an Executive Order aiming to dismantle the Department of Education and shift authority and funding to the states. While this requires congressional approval, it creates uncertainty for arts education funding in Minnesota, particularly for schools that rely on federal support for arts programming.
• Federal Student Loans & Special Programs Moved: The administration is moving the federal student loan program to the Small Business Administration and shifting special needs education support—including programs that help students with disabilities access the arts—to the Department of Health and Human Services. These changes could impact accessibility in the arts and funding for arts-integrated learning programs.
• Shake-Up at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): A new Acting Director, Keith E. Sonderling, has been appointed, but a large portion of IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave at the same time. Minnesota’s museums, libraries, and cultural institutions depend on IMLS funding, and this disruption could delay critical grants that support arts access across the state. Advocates are encouraged to contact their members of Congress and to use materials provided by the American Alliance of Museums and the American Library Association to express opposition to the Executive Order.

MCA will continue to focus on state-level advocacy, but we know that federal decisions shape Minnesota’s arts landscape. We are engaged in national conversations and advocacy efforts to ensure that Minnesota’s arts community remains strong, funded, and accessible. Click down below to read the full AFTA update.