Public Support of the Arts in Michigan

With the loss in jobs and economic stress in Michigan, arts organizations have seen dramatic decline in corporate and individual support. The Michigan legislature in 2004 was faced with a deficit of over $925 million (Bartik and Erickcek, 2005). All areas of the government have been cut including state funding for arts and cultural institutions through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). While attendance is still strong, performing arts institutions have seen significant shifts since 2001 from subscription packages to single ticket sales, indicating limited resources for many people. Today, MCACA is the smallest it has ever been since its inception in 1991. Its budget is less than half of its budget in 2003, and support to its arts organizations has consequently been cut in half as well. Because of the creation of MCACA as a state granting agency, most arts and cultural organizations in Michigan do not receive support from local municipalities. The future of MCACA is currently under great threat and if it were to disappear, financially strapped local municipalities would find it difficult to provide funding for the arts. As Michigan shifts from an economy dependent on manufacturing to one focused on entrepreneurial high-tech industries, communities must find ways to attract and retain the best talent to this region. The quality of arts and cultural offerings will be a significant driver for people to make a life decision to move to and stay in Michigan. For this reason, public support for the arts must continue. How can the funding continue and what can be done to secure its future? These are the questions to be explored in this paper