Updated on July 12, 2019

Time is running to save the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the Alaska legislature needs to hear from you TODAY! Funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) has been vetoed. We have until the end of today to make it known that ASCA is important to our communities. Please write and call legislators TODAY. Share the information below. Encourage others to get in touch with policymakers TODAY. Now is a critical time for every voice to be heard.

ASCA shuts its doors on Monday, July 15. Please raise your voice in support of this agency.

Here are some tips for messaging impact, media coverage regarding the elimination of ASCA, sample messages you can send in support of ASCA, and links to pertinent updates for our state

PHONE & EMAIL CONTACTS FOR 31st AK LEGISLATURE (with info on who is in Wasilla) updated 7.11.19

 

ABOUT THE ASCA VETO

The Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) is veto #27 on a list of 182 vetoes to state programs and services. ASCA provides programs for schools, communities, military families, artists and arts organizations across the Last Frontier. ASCA funds empower creative entrepreneurs, inspire kids’ imaginations, preserve Alaska Native heritage and help Alaska communities to thrive through grants to organizations like Fairbanks Arts (and many others). But those funds will be lost if the governor’s FY2020 vetoes are allowed to stand. Sample messages that can be added to your emails, letters, or social media posts in support of ASCA can be found below.

Articles to share with legislators and on social media: 

The elimination of ASCA is getting plenty of press coverage, even nationally.

 

SAMPLE MESSAGES IN SUPPORT OF ASCA

The legislature got it RIGHT when approving funds for the Alaska State Council on the Arts. That tiny investment yields a $27 to $1 return, leverages federal funds (forfeited without state money), and provides programs for Alaskan kids, communities and military families.

For about $700k – just 1-100th of 1% of all state spending – the arts can add $3.4 billion to Alaska’s economy. It’s smart math to restore funding to the Alaska State Council on the Arts.

This proud Alaskan wants to preserve public funds for the Alaska State Council on the Arts: a wise choice for Alaska’s economy, for our military families, and for the next generation.

I care about the wellbeing of Alaskan military families. I care about preserving Alaska Native heritage. I care about keeping kids in school. I care about diversifying our economy. That’s why the Alaska State Council on the Arts matters to voters. I want to see funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts restored.

I believe in small government that’s agile, accountable and works with private partners. That’s what the Alaska State Council on the Arts delivers! Its good work and the private and federal funds it brings in will be forfeited without a state commitment. Restore Alaska State Council on the Arts funding.

If all general funds to the Alaska State Council on the Arts are vetoed, federal arts dollars that should come to Alaska will be redistributed to California, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and other states. Keep that money in Alaska! Please restore funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts.

What growth industry adds $3.4 billion to the Alaska economy while other sectors are struggling or on the decline? The arts. They’re part of the solution to what ails Alaska’s economy. Please restore funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts.

Dropouts cost Alaska more than $31 million in economic growth, health care costs and dependency on the state social safety net. Disadvantaged kids who get ARTS EDUCATION are 5x more likely to stay in school. It’s smart math to restore arts funding in Alaska.

 

If you would like to read more about this issue, you can read the response to the vetoes from Fairbanks Arts’ Executive Director from June 30