Arts & Cultural Org funding req
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August 28, 2004
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Dear Members ofthe Dubuque City Council,
I have been a volunteer docent for Dubuque's Museum of Art for the last four years. I
am a mathematician "by trade" but I recognize how important art and other cultural
endeavors have been in my own life. It has been a real joy to communicate the
enthusiasm I feel for art to the second graders of our elementary schools.
Each full groups of these young people come to the museum and listen to the docents tell
them how wonderful it is to have a museum like ours right here in Dubuque. It is
exciting to see their eyes light up as we show them the significant features of
Provincetown Art, point with pride to our collection ofIowa's own Grant Wood, and
focus on Galena artist Beth Bird's hand-colored etchings, the Ballad of the Red Shoes,
and so much more.
My volunteering at the Dubuque Museum of Art has been a growth experience for me as
well. It is a delight to study the exhibits and to be taught by the museum's able staff prior
to my work with the young people. The public often has the opportunity to hear a lecture
by a featured artist and visit the exhibits at minimal cost.
I have, in the above paragraphs, been trying to convince you --as if you needed
convincing--ofthe importance of Dubuque's Museum of Art to the Dubuque community
and its environs. To continue its service to Dubuque and its people, the Museum and its
talented staff need the financial support that the city council can make available. You are
to be commended for the efforts you have already made~
It has come to my attention that you-
I. approved the formation of an Arts and Culture advisory committee
2. approved the application process of an art and culture district
3. approved $35,000 to be distributed for special projects via a competitive grant
process.
The next step, which I pray you are willing to take, is to provide operating support by
allocating the $250,000 to cultural organizations, in particular to the Dubuque Museum of
Art.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sin. cerely, ~ 7
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Page I of!
Jeanne Schneider
From: "Ed Babka" <abkab@attglobal.net>
To: "Teny Duggan" <jschneid@cityofdubuque.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 31,2004 4:16 PM
Subject: Arts Grant
Dear Mayor Duggan,
As a member of the Dubuque Museum of Art Board of Directors I have been asked to contact
you to ask that you approve the $250,000 funding to establish an annual Arts and Culture
Operating Grant Program for Dubuque's Arts and Cultural Organizations, at your goal setting
meeting session on Sept. 12-14.
I think it is import for the quality of life in Dubuque to have a viable Museum of Art. As I
understand it Dubuque is one of the few cities our size in Iowa that does not get some
financial support from their city.
I think tha any business thinking of moving their operation to Dubuque would want such things
as a museum of Art, a Symphony Orchestra, and a Perfonning Theater. Also it is very
important for tourism.
I hope that you will feel the same way and support the $250,000 funding grant.
Respectively,
Ed Babka
8/3 1/2004
Page I of I
Jeanne Schneider
From:
To:
"Cynthia Nelms-Byme" <cbyme@dubuque.net>
<jschneid@cityofdubuque.org>; <aem 1 O@mchsi.com>; <danielnicholson@mchsi.com>;
<jmarkham@Cümerenergy.com>; <rbuol1@mchsi.com>; <jconnors63@mchsi.com>;
<patriciacline@mchsi.com>
Wednesday, September 01, 200412:08 PM
Art funding
Sent:
Subject:
Dear Mr. Mayor & City Council members:
I can't tell you how important I think the cultural arts are to our city. As
a volunteer at the Dubuque Museum of Art, I have had a flfSt-hand view of
how much tourists and Dubuque residents appreciate the exhibits at the
Museum. I get so many wonderful comments from visitors when I welcome them
to the Museum.
Besides being a quality of life issue, our arts organizations add to the
economic development of our city. It's amazing that we have the quality
organizations that we do, considering that the city has never given any
financial support. How much more the arts could flourish with approval of
the $250,000 funding to establish an Arts and Culture Operating Grant
Program for Dubuque's arts and cultural organizations.
Besides the economic benefit, I know the young people of Dubuque really love
the arts organizations, and gain much from them. The different art programs
that are geared towards our youth do a lot to educate and broaden their
views of Dubuque, our state, our country and the world.
Because we are a progressive community, we should not be the only city in
Iowa that does NOT contribute to our cultural organizations. It is an
embarrassment for Dubuque, which has done so much in the past few years with
the riverfront development and other projects, to ignore what is very
important to very many people.
Thank you for supporting the arts in our community by approving the funding
to establish the Grant Program at your goal-setting session on September
13-14.
Cynthia Nelms-Byrne
(c'
9/1/2004