Hancock Ltr - ARTS funding
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Jeanne Schneider
Sent:
Subject:
"Melissa Hancock" <melissa.hancock@kintzlaw.com>
<aem10@mchsLcom>; <jmarkham@cornerenergy.com>; <rbouI1@mchsi.com>;
<jconnors63@mchsi.com>; <patriciacline@mchsi.com>; <jschneid@cityofdubuque.org>
Thursday, December 02, 2004 3:06 PM
arts funding
From:
To:
I am writing to you to encourage you all to approve the full $250,000 of general operating funds for Dubuque arts
organizations, as recommended by the City Arts Task Force. I am a resident of Asbury, who works and
volunteers in Dubuque. I am a member of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and I know first-
hand what a difference this funding could make for the symphony and all arts organizations in the city.
Dubuque is one of the few cities in the state who does not provide any city funds for arts organizations.
Supporting the arts isn't only supporting musicians and art lovers; it is also supporting economic growth and
development, especially in downtown Dubuque where the symphony concerts are held, where the art galleries
and museums are located, where so many cultural city-wide events are held. Concertgoers spend money in
hotels, restaurants, and stores in addition to attending a concert or arts event. They stop for lunch or dinner
before or after the show, they may purchase a new dress or outfit for the evening out, they reserve a room at the
Holiday' Inn or Grand Harbor for the weekend. The funds allocated to arts organizations will come back to the city
via economic growth and development.
Supporting the arts just makes good sense. Art events are great for families. For example, the Symphony offers
a Halloween Family concert, a Holiday Pops concert, and the Independence Day Pops concerts - all great events
for families to attend (and a wonderful altemative to 1V or Nintendo) The Symphony's Arts Trek concerts provide
all area 3rd-graders with a taste of the symphony. With additional city funding, the educational outreach could be
even broader.
City support is critical. When an arts organization faces a tight budget, often admission fees and ticket prices are
increased significantly to make up for increasing expenses. This means that the arts become accessible only to
the upper-income citizens. Arts events should be available for everyone, and this can be possible with
meaningful city financial support.
The city has taken positive steps towards keeping and enhancing the arts organizations here in Dubuque with the
creation of the Arts Task Force and the initial funding of $35,000 in grant opportunities. The next step is to
support $250,000 of general operating funds designed for City-wide arts organizations. Dubuque is doing great
things and should continue to move forward - I urge you to approve the recommendation of the Arts Task Force.
Melissa A. Hancock
Kintzinger Law Firm P.L.C.
100 W. 12th Street
P.O. Box 703
Dubuque, IA 52004-0703
(563) 588-0547, (563) 588-1981 fax
www.kintzlaw.com
12/2/2004