COLUMBIA -- Missouri arts programs are threatened by possible budget cuts to the National Endowments for the Arts, or N.E.A. These arts programs rely on the N.E.A’s federal funding, which supports part of the Missouri Arts Council’s budget. However the Missouri Arts Council’s budget will not receive any immediate cuts and will continue to keep its core funding from the state.
The Missouri Arts Council provides grants to art programs all across Missouri, through state funding and the N.E.A. The N.E.A. provides 13.4 percent of the Missouri Arts Council’s budget says the Missouri Arts Council Executive Director Michael Donovan.
“Most people don’t realize that 40 percent of their [N.E.A.] grand budget goes to states and regions and that money goes to the state arts councils, regional art councils to re-grant within their state. Last year that was $723,700 dollars,” Donovan said.
The Kirksville Art Association or K.A.A. is just one organization in Missouri that is stressed for funding from the state and federal government.
“I suspect that if that budget happens, and if the N.E.A. and N.E.H. are zero funded that will affect the Missouri Arts Council and it will affect the gallery directly,” said Truman State University Art Department Chair, Aaron Fine.
The K.A.A. is hosting its annual fundraising gala Friday to raise money for themselves and the Truman State University art gallery. The K.A.A.’s gallery was destroyed by a fire this December.
“If all the money we raised ends up going to the K.A.A. we’ll be fine,” said Fine.
The K.A.A and other art programs rely on private donations from members of the community to help with the budget cost.
Private donors are important to keeping places like the K.A.A. alive, but according to Donovan the budget from the N.E.A. is critical to the Missouri Arts Council’s funding.
“There is a lot of support for the N.E.A. on both sides of the isle. Both republicans and democrats have long supported the N.E.A. and recognize the value they provide all over the country,” said Donovan.