IA Arts Cncl Apprec. poss funds
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Anita Walker
D/reetor
515.281.7471
July 30, 2004
Jane Kenworthy
Dubuque Symphony
PO Box 881
Dubuque, IA 52004
Dear Jane:
I am so pleased to learn that the City of Dubuque is exploring ways to invest in the arts in your
community. It is the synergy of the public/private partnership that ensures access to quality arts
for all Iowans. The arts are as essential to human wellbeing as the air we breathe and the food
we eat. And beyond that, the arts fuel economic growth as they attract creative, talented people
to our communities; they enrich young minds, stimulating creative and abstract thinking and
teaching teamwork and collaboration; and they build the social fabric of a community, bringing
people together and keeping children safe and stimulated outside the school classroom.
Our cultural organizations are the backbone of the cultural climate in Iowa. That's why the Iowa
Arts Council is committed to being a fmancial partner in the success and sustainability of these
symphony orchestras, theaters, art museums and visual and performing centers of art.
Historically, the state's level of support has been low, among the bottom five states in the
country. Until this year, our operational support for these vital cultural organizations has
amounted to little more than 1% of their total budgets.
We know that operational funding is the most difficult money to raise. This is the money that
keeps the lights on, pays the staff and shovels the sidewalks. Donors derive far greater
satisfaction in providing funding for educational outreach projects, concerts or new exhibits. But
that none of those activities can happen until the operational budget is secure.
This year the Iowa Arts Council set a goal of 5% operational support for our major cultural
organizations by the year 2010. And, even in the wake ofa series of severe budget cuts over the
past three years, we are moving in that direction. This year we will move our level of support
from an average of. 78% to an average of nearly 3%.
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Our cultural partners will, in exchange for increased and more predictable fmancial support, play
a more focused and active role in building the cultural climate for the entire state.
Jane, it is gratifying to see cities across Iowa recognize the important role of their cultural
organizations in their success, prosperity and quality oflife. Communities are realizing that if
they are to be competitive in today's economy and mobile society, they must invest in the assets
that attract and keep people in Iowa.
Thank you for your inquiry. Please let me know if there is additional information I can provide.
Sincerely,
Anita Walker
Executive Director
Iowa Arts Council
A DIvision of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs