New Atlanta arts budget highlights shortfall in funding

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Atlanta City Council passed a $2 million budget on Tuesday to fund arts organizations in metro Atlanta, the same budget as last year.

The state of the arts in Atlanta isn’t good, according to advocates who say funding challenges are making it harder for Atlanta to maintain its position as a cultural center.

“Atlanta likes to call itself the ‘Cultural Capital of the South,’” said Laura Hennighausen of Arts Capital Atlanta. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the capital to make that the case.”

Arts Capital Atlanta is a nonprofit of more than 200 metro arts organizations trying to raise awareness about Georgia’s arts spending. About 50% of the organizations in Arts Capital Atlanta have budgets under $150,000.

The funding crisis stems from the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide spending cuts.

“The difference in Georgia is that most other states reinstated that funding a couple of years later, and Georgia didn’t,” Hennighausen said.

With a budget surplus, the state isn’t hurting for cash, but political considerations have affected funding. Some arts organizations found themselves cut from National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants.

“Anything about the Revolutionary War or the founding fathers is getting preference,” Hennighausen said.

The preference relates to America’s 250th birthday. In Fulton County, there are also new forms to fill out to qualify for funding.

“We now have to fill out an E-Verify immigration affidavit,” she said.

Metro Atlanta’s 11 counties receive $1.96 per capita in funding, below the national average of $5.54.

The battle for funds is constant, with organizations raising money to raise more money.

“I think we always feel like Sisyphus, because we are always fundraising and needing funds to do our work,” Hennighausen said.

Despite the challenges, Hennighausen believes there is reason to hope.

“We did see Fulton County increase its funding last year back to 2020 levels,” she said.

Hennighausen believes continued advocacy can restore emphasis on culture.

“I think most people realize how low we are compared to the rest of the nation,” she said.

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