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Governor Vilsack: the Arts & FY07 Budget
Vilsack Earns Arts Leadership Award
Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack received the 2006 National Award for State Arts Leadership from Americans for the Arts and the U.S. Conference of Mayors Jan. 25 as part of the Mayors’ 74th winter meeting in Washington, D.C.
Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts | Riverfront also received awards for Local Arts Leadership and Excellence in Arts Programs for Youth. Each award honors elected officials and artists or arts organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in advancement of the arts.
Vilsack was recognized for his dedication to establishing arts programs in
Iowa, most notably the Vision Iowa Program, the Iowa Cultural Trust and certified
Cultural and Entertainment Districts.
Governor’s FY07 Budget: What’s in it for Culture?
On January 10, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack released his budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2007. Gordon Hendrickson, the Department of Cultural Affairs Legislative Liaison and State Archivist, said the budget is, in most cases, a flat recommendation with a couple of exceptions.
The budget for the State Historical Society of Iowa includes an increase of $185,000 for rent and utilities for the State Records Center. That expense is being paid by the Department of General Services in FY06 but will be assumed by DCA in FY07.
The budget includes special appropriation recommendations for Civil War Battle Flags ($220,000), Governor’s Records Project ($75,000), Music Grants ($25,000) Historic Site Preservation Grants $800,000 (an increase of $300,000), and $500,000 for administration of Iowa Great Places. An additional $1 million is recommended for gap funding for Great Places infrastructure projects through the Capitals Appropriation. The budget recommendation for the Iowa Arts Council includes no increases over FY05.
A legislative reception sponsored by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs was held January 17 at the State Historical Building at which Senators William Dotzler (D-Black Hawk) and Maggie Tinsman (R-Scott) and Representatives Jo Oldson (D-Polk), Clarence Hoffman (R-Crawford) and Polly Bukta (D-Clinton) touted the success of the Cultural and Entertainment District and Iowa Great Places programs and encouraged other lawmakers in attendance to support arts and culture throughout the session.
“We have companies that come looking to bring thousands of jobs to Waterloo
and Cedar Falls,” Sen. Dotzler said of his home district. “And what
they are looking at is not just the local economy, but the arts, culture and recreation
the area has to offer. That is why initiatives like Cultural and Entertainment
Districts are vital to Iowa.”
