Budget Buster! FY14 Arts and Humanities Budget Approved

On May 23, Montgomery County Council approved a $4.8 Billion total operating budget for FY 2014.  The overall County budget, which reflects a 4.1 percent increase over the approved budget for FY 2013, “…Continues an investment in our economic and social infrastructure,” said Council President Nancy Navarro. Navarro also noted that, “…Budgets are a reflection of our values.”
Well, my friends, if that is the case, then I’m happy I live in Montgomery County, a place that values the arts and humanities, because the County Council approved a FY14 $4,921,700 budget for arts and humanities,  a 40.55% increase over the FY13 budget for the arts and humanities!
Here’s how it breaks down:
$3,921,700 for the Arts and Humanities Council specifically:

  • $2,511,563 for Operating Support Grants for Large Organizations
  • $491,807 for Small and Midsize Organization Grants and Grants to Individual Artists
  • $240,000 for Advancement Grants
  • $200,000 for the Arts and Humanities Matching Fund
  • $129,000 for the Public Arts Trust
  • $349,330 for AHCMC Administration

Additionally, we are thrilled that the County Council appropriated $1 million a year for five years for facility construction or improvement grants for new construction, expansion of a project, renovation of an existing structure or physical plant repairs critical to an organization’s arts or humanities mission.  We know this grant category will go a long way to help us attend to those repairs and renovations that had to be put off for far too long over the last four years of the economic downturn.
To read more about the approved budget click here. The budget will take effect July 1, 2013.
On behalf of the Board and staff of AHCMC, Thanks! to each and every one of you for the work you did to help pass this budget. Thank you for contacting your constituents, board members and council members to ask for their support. And Thanks! for attending the Potluck, the April 10 Hearing, and the follow-up working sessions. I’m proud of our collective work this year and I hope you are too. We look forward to working with you in the coming year and wish you a productive and prosperous FY14!
Best,