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On Jan. 22, the Atlanta Business Chronicle published an article by Maria Saporta stating: "The arts are an integral part of the states economy. That's the conclusion of a new economic impact study that surveyed 380 arts organizations in more than 70 counties across Georgia.
Using a conservative set of criteria, the study determined that 380 arts and cultural organizations in the state had a net economic impact of $387 million and contributed more than $18.6 million in tax revenue.
In all, those organizations had a total income of $722 million and total expenses of $692 million and attract an audience of 16 million people a year. The arts count in education. The arts count in attracting jobs. The arts count in economic investment and where people are going to choose to invest. And the arts count in terms of quality of life."
With this information at hand, the state Senate is considering cutting the Georgia Council for the Arts funding and would like to do away with the agency altogether. This will change the state of all arts in Georgia if this happens.
I too work for a nonprofit arts center and the grants we receive thru the Georgia Council and the National Endowment for the Arts are paramount in our continuing to serve our community and in bringing quality arts programming to Northeast Georgia.
Tommy Deadwyler
Sautee Nacoochee