Jason Grant of the County Executive’s Office told Bristow Beat that his office did not make a decision to transfer funds from the Prince William Arts Council to the Hylton Performing Arts Center as has been widely reported in the blogosphere.
Moreover Grant reported that the Board of County Supervisors had not taken part in that discussion.
“The Board of County Supervisors never had that under consideration. We (The County Executive’s Officer) were working on the current budget proposal,” Grant said.
According to Grant his office did discuss with the Arts Council the possibly of transferring $193,000 in grant money funds to the Hylton Performing Arts Center, thinking it might help the Arts Council performers utilize the space at a discounted rate.
“That was one of the things they were looking at; there was a discussion,” Grant said.
However, according to Art Council Chairperson Sheyna Burt, using funds in that capacity would not benefit the greatest number of Art Council members.
“That was a problem for us, before not all of our artists perform in that part of the county, and not all of them are performing artists; some are visual artists or writers,” Burt said.
Burt also said the council’s biggest need this year is funding to revamp their website. They are looking to create a hub where people can find out about all council related events in the county on one easy site. That is not something they would be able to fund through the Hylton Performing Arts Center, no matter how big a proponent the Art Council members are of the Hylton Center and its programs.
However, Grant said that by no means was that suggestion a final proposal; rather, it was a small part of an ongoing dialogue between the County Executive’s Office and the Arts Council. In that context, his office sought to clarify the situation that may have been misrepresented by some citizen journalists, who transmitted the story via the web.
Grant explained that the County Executive, Melissa Peacor and her staff first talked with organizations last week to get an idea of their funding needs. Once they have gained a proper understanding, they will create a recommendation to the Board. After a proposal is presented to the Board, it will then be open to public discussion, which the Board encourages. Nothing is finalized until the budget is adopted in April, Grant explained.
However, when some art enthusiasts heard their funding might be cut, they took to the internet to blog, tweet, post on Facebook and email community and Board members in support of the Arts Council before Burt had even sent out an email blast to her members.
“The fear from some of the arts people was that it was a going to be done and it was a done deal,” Grant said.
Burt did acknowledge that the County Executive’s office gave no recent indication that the suggestion they discussed would be a final proposal. Furthermore, Burt believes they have moved away from that recommendation after receiving negative feedback.
“I know that they are not planning as of last couple of days there is no plan to have either of those proposals in the budget.” Burt said.
Grant denied that feedback from citizens had an impact on a measure.
However, Burt is not apologizing for art aficionados who made the issue public. Rather she is proud that so many people cared enough to voice their support. She hopes to hear from them again, if the proposal put forth is ultimately disagreeable to the Council, and art lovers in the county.
“Whatever the fight is however it forms, I think the community is going to stand behind us and that’s a good thing,” Burt said.
Burt wants community members to understand how important Art Council is its 55 organizations and individuals, including musicians, visual artists, dancer and writers, who create and share their art in Prince William County.
Should the Board decide to cut $64,000 in grant money, Burt said there is no way the Art Council could afford to continue its operations. Without the Art Council, member would have difficulty renting out studio and performance spaces, especially without the discounted council members get through Prince William County Schools.
However, the Art Council does not exist just for its members. As a nonprofit that provides educational opportunities and access to cultural opportunities nearby and at a low cost, Burt believes it improves the quality of life in the county.
“The quality of life matter, whether it is an individual’s decision to move in Prince William County to whether it is a business that decides to move in. They want to know what kind of environment exists,” Burt said.
Furthermore, Burt believes the revenues generated by the Council justify its cost, even if it does not qualify as what many supervisors would define as an “essential need." Burt can argue that having the Arts Council is a cost-effective investment for Prince William taxpayers. While the Council costs taxpayers $257,000 annually, Burt said the Council brings in an estimated $1.8 million for the county.
Burt believes this is reason enough for the Board of County Supervisors to fund the Arts Council.
“What we tried to show the county is if you an give people an excuse not to commute to D.C. to experience great art, they will not commute. They might go to a restaurant while they’re out. It’s not just that they support the arts. They support restaurants and retailers, and then they move here, which is ultimately what we want to achieve,” Burt said.
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