Arts funding

This month the Missouri Arts Council board will decide how much of its tax-funded trust fund to allocate for arts programs around the state. It appears the arts council is prepared to use much of its $17.5 million fund to support the need for up to $9 million in projects that won't be funded by state appropriations this year.

The Missouri Legislature, knowing the arts council has the trust fund, did not appropriate any money for arts programs this year.

Many programs are potentially affected, including those of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Southeast Missouri State University's Crisp Museum and Old Town Cape's Tunes at Twilight.

The arts trust fund gets its money from a special tax on nonresident professional athletes and entertainers. Beverly Strohmeyer, executive director of the Missouri Arts Council and former director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, says a decision needs to be made on whether to reduce grants to make those funds last longer or to fully fund ongoing programs.

Since the fund is tax-based and will be replenished down the road, it makes good sense to use the money when state revenue is so tight. Supporting the arts is good for Missouri.