Fulton County arts funding slashed: Advocated call for budget reconsideration

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Commissioners say they are not issuing a harsh decision and would like to revisit the funding in months to come. 

Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations say the reduction in funding by the Fulton County Commission takes away the vibe and vitality of our city. 

What they're saying:

They say commissioners have not looked at the big picture of how much revenue these organizations generate for our economy. The arts and culture have become thriving aspects of the Atlanta community, but a recent slash in the Fulton County budget from three million dollars to $1.3 million could really bring down the curtain.

Chris Escobar, who owns the Plaza and Tara Theatres, is the executive director of the Atlanta Film Society. "The disappointment I would say I really have is that they aren't looking at the economic impact, the revenue the arts generate, which is strongly and easily a 300% return—a three to one return for every dollar they put out," Mr. Escobar exclaimed. Escobar says the city of Atlanta did an economic impact study that shows a whopping $16 million in tax revenue generated, despite $5 million in grant money invested by the city and county combined.

Statewide, arts advocates say that Georgia has the dubious distinction of being last in the nation when you look at average per capita arts spending while the industry is booming. "The arts and entertainment at large is one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy, particularly as we’ve been coming out of the recession for the last couple of decades," Mr. Escobar explained. But commissioners have taken a more conservative approach to funding, especially since they are staring at the Department of Justice Consent Decree surrounding the Fulton County jail.

The other side:

"I am not saying no to the arts, I am saying pause. Let us figure out what we need to do for our most crucial part of what we are mandated to provide in our county ordinance, and that is the county jail," District 4 Commissioner Mo Ivory explained during Wednesday’s Commission meeting. Arts supporters say they understand that commissioners want to revisit this issue. They just hope that the review will not come too late.