PRINTER'S NO. 1005
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
151
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY WHEATLEY, HILL-EVANS, IRVIN, MILLARD, MURT, DeLUCA
AND McCLINTON, MARCH 20, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
MARCH 20, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council
on the Arts' funding formula and resource allocation for the
Commonwealth's African-American, Latin-American, Asian-
American and Native American arts organizations and newer and
rural artistic organizations.
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's numerous arts organizations are
key actors in the economic, educational and social prosperity of
Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's arts organizations provide
valuable instructive and cultural experiences to residents of
all ages; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's arts organizations have a
significant economic impact and generate tourism dollars; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's arts organizations tackle a
variety of art forms from fine art to extremely abstract art;
and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth funds its arts organizations
through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts,
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which utilizes a weighted funding formula to allocate those
funds; and
WHEREAS, It is recognized by council members on the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts that the
current funding formula advantages arts organizations that are
older, that have larger budgets and that tend to be
predominantly white in staff, board and audience while
disadvantaging organizations that are newer, with smaller
budgets and that are disproportionately staffed and governed by
members of the African-American, Latin-American, Asian-American
or Native American communities; and
WHEREAS, A new funding formula is proposed that is weighted
to provide greater opportunities for multicultural arts
organizations, arts organizations formed after the year 2000 or
arts organizations with an annual budget of less than $200,000;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts' current
funding formula as well as alternative funding formulas that are
weighted to provide greater opportunities for newer,
multicultural, rural and LGBT arts organizations; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the study include an analysis of the current
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts' funding in the
annual Commonwealth budget; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
provide recommendations necessary or desirable to improve the
funding equity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on
the Arts' funding formula; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
report to the House of Representatives the result of its study
and recommendations regarding the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Council on the Arts' funding formula and file the report with
the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives no later than
180 days after the adoption of this resolution.
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