By: Matthew Kwatinetz

Unless you take action now, funding for the arts in King County is about to be cut from $35 Million per year to less than $2 Million per year.

Let's face it, you get a lot of calls and emails to get up and do something about the arts: if you choose one thing to do this decade, get on the bus with us to Olympia next week!

The issue is this: King County's Lodging Tax has supported the arts for the last 18 years through providing granting, education, advocacy and support. If we don't step up to the plate, this money will be GONE forever.

Do you care about the arts? Are you willing to vote with your feet? That's all we have to do, folks! Resist the urge to complacency! Legislatures in the City, County and State have said over and over again that the arts are losing money and support because nobody supporting the arts is showing up in Olympia and City Hall(?!) Let's show em. If you care, this is your time: 1 day a decade, that is what we are asking for you to do.

Here's how:

GET ON THE BUS

(choose one date below or both for extra credit)

HOW: Buses and Vans will be available for transport

WHERE: Meet at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 - 12th Ave, Seattle

WHEN: Wed, Jan 30^th: Bus departs 10:00AM bus returns to Seattle 5:00PM

Thurs, Jan 31: Bus departs 6:00AM bus returns to Seattle 2:00PM

More details below. Please don't let the arts community down. One day in Olympia. It's fun down there!

Can't make it? See below for other ways you can show your support.

Forward this message!

DETAILS:

It is time to take action. Ever wonder why the plight of arts and culture is getting steadily more challenging? Wonder no longer! want to tell you about legislation that I am heading down to Olympia to champion. I believe art is vital for society. I believe art has no substitute. And I believe our government should support art through the very revenues that they are receiving due to our work. I believe that public support for art is an important collective statement of human values - as well as an extremely effective way to continue to grow this region as an artistic hot-bed! That's why I will be testifying in Olympia on January 30th and 31st and emailing my State Representative and Senator to ask them to support Senate Bill 6638 and House Bill 3054 that will continue the use of King County's Lodging Tax Fund for support of arts and heritage . There is no other public support for art like it in King County.

After three years laying the groundwork in Olympia, this is the year to get these funds secured. That means it's a critical time for action. This is the time that legislators need to hear from you. Whether you work for a cultural organization, are an artist yourself, or simply know the importance of living in a region that honors its arts and heritage, now is the time to help ensure this critical funding source is available for many years to come. Supporting these bills is easy - the two bills are simply legalese for "let's keep going" with King County's now 18-year history of using this revenue source to support arts and heritage.

There are 3 simple ways to pitch in.

1. Testify at a public hearing to take place in Olympia on January 30th and 31st. Testifying is easy. Legislators already know the details of the bill. The most effective testimonies are short, from-the-heart stories about how public funding for the arts and heritage effects you personally. Please email TestifyForArt [at] Gmail [dot] com if you are interested in getting on the art bus! Even if you don't want to testify, showing up and signing in means EVERYTHING.
2. Send an email to your legislator to show your support of SB 6638 and HB3054. Tell them about why you think public funding for arts and heritage is important. Washington State Arts Alliance has an easy form you can use with a template email that you should adjust, it will connect you with your district representatives and Senators.
3. Forward this message to friends and colleagues - feel free to add a personal note, like mine at the top, about why you think taking action is important .
   

This is an exciting time for our region. The Washington State Legislature is reviewing these bills in both the Senate (SB6638) and the House (HB3054) that will continue the use of King County's Lodging Tax Fund for support of arts and heritage. King County's Lodging Tax for Culture is the primary cultural fund source that 4Culture [King County's cultural services organization] invests in this region's arts and heritage workers --from project support for upstart theater companies and small-town heritage societies, to operating support for over 150 arts and heritage organizations, to building projects that have resulted in many of our region's most well-loved arts facilities and history museums...the Lodging Tax for Culture has been there. Unless this legislation is passed, King County's primary source of public support for arts and heritage would end in 2013.

The bill details:
SB6638 and HB3054 simply extend the use of this funding source for culture well into the future. In addition, it solves urgent current day issues affecting the amount of funds available for arts and heritage grants by freeing up endowment requirements that freeze 40% of the funds available each year, and securing supplementary revenues for use between 2013 and 2020 before Lodging Tax funds are available again post-2020. The complete bills are available for viewing online at (SB) http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6638&year=2008 and (HB) http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=3054&year=2007


To find your senator and representative, go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/default.aspx

Thank you for your time!