Budget cuts halt plans for festival

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Budget cuts are making it rough on a lot of groups and organizations and Sikeston Missouri Arts Inc., is one of the latest victims.

While board members assure residents that SMARTS intends to continue providing the community with the arts, the group will not host the Cotton Festival of the Arts -- disappointing news for those who've enjoyed attending for the past five years.

"Due to our grant cuts the SMARTS Board has taken a realistic look at our current funding. The future of the arts is somewhat in jeopardy due to a funding cut by the Missouri Arts Council," said SMARTS administrator Terri Matthews.

She explained the state money provided by the Missouri Arts Council for Sikeston Missouri Arts was cut 20 percent half way through last year. This year, it cut the state funding by another 33 percent.

Declining revenue"This is a result of MAC tightening its belt because declining revenue statewide has caused drastic cuts in its own budget," she said.

"A recent letter from MAC stated that 20 percent of our grant award would be held in a reserve. In the event that this special reserve is not released, another 20 percent will be unavailable for our projects. This is what occurred last year and the MAC office is telling us they foresee it happening again this year."

What this means, Matthews said, is that the cut has resulted in a drop of state revenue from $16,000 for SMARTS to $7,200. SMARTS' total 2002-2003 budget was $32,000 with about half expected to come from the community.

SMARTS now comes to the community, hoping residents will see the importance of the organization and be willing to help, she said.

Matthews said that in the past SMARTS has provided a wide variety of music, theater, art shows murals, storytellers, photography exhibits, festivals, chalk art, poetry, workshops, southern food, artisans and artists to both the community and schools.

Most recently SMARTS completed the first part of a historical mural in downtown Sikeston by Willow Springs, Mo., artist Michael McClure.

Plans are under way for providing after school art lessons for children and adults and this fall the group is bringing the St. Louis Brass Quintet to Sikeston High School for a concert. SHS workshops for brass students will be given as well as two elementary concerts.

"This is an opportunity for renowned brass soloists, clinicians, chamber musicians, instrument designers and master teachers to share their knowledge of brass instruments plus instruct and entertain the students," said Matthews.

Coming Jan. 25 is a theatrical performance of the life of Vincent van Gogh, featuring F. Reed Brown, who will portray van Gogh and his brother, Theo. Brown will present the public performance from 7-9 p.m. at the Albritton-Mayer Cultural Center, 506 S. Kingshighway.

He will also do workshops with SHS students.

Anyone interested in supporting SMARTS is asked to call 471-3888. Tax-deductible donations and corporate sponsorship are available at several levels.

"SMARTS is arts for the community and we need assistance in continuing to offer alternative, educational and cultural enrichment opportunities for our citizens," Matthews said. "Every community is a better place to live when the arts are alive and vibrant."