On January 5, Governor Henry McMaster released his Executive Budget Proposal for 2024-2025.
Reminder: These are just recommendations made by the Governor. They are not final, nor are they law. The Legislature writes the budget ultimately.
Arts Funding
Read the full Executive Budget Proposal >>
Recurring funding for the arts remained level in the Governor’s FY25 budget proposal at just over $9 million in state funds. Gov. McMaster, who has not proposed cuts to the arts in his Executive Budgets since taking office, has historically supported increases in arts funding approved by the Legislature later in the budget process. The only exception to this pattern was in 2017, where his veto was overridden by the General Assembly.
The Governor also continued his support of reforms for earmark projects (direct state funds to individual entities) urging the General Assembly to allocate funding for these projects to special, merit-based grant programs administered by state agencies. Earmark funds have historically supported various arts and culture related projects in certain communities through the state.
Bottom Line: Funding for the arts stayed flat in the Governor’s recommended budget. The Legislature begins session next week and will propose their own versions of the budget.
Stay tuned more information on our 2024 budget priorities for the arts!
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