Gov. Katie Hobbs’ proposed budget includes ongoing funding of $1 million annually for the Arizona Commission on the Arts. The appropriation would restore a stable funding stream from the state.
For more than a decade, the commission has had to lobby annually for one-time appropriations from the state.
During last year’s budget negotiations, the commission was nearly defunded before a last minute amendment gave $2 million for the arts.
But even that was a 60% reduction in funding from the two years prior.
Hobbs’ proposal to restore ongoing funding for the arts may run afoul of at least one Republican lawmaker who’s proposed abolishing the commission entirely.
Hundreds of arts agencies across the state apply to the commission for grants.
According to a study by Americans for the Arts, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated nearly half a billion dollars in economic activity in Phoenix in 2022.