Maryland Citizens for the Arts

Recently, Maryland Citizens for the Arts complied a questionnaire for the gubernatorial candidates about the arts and arts education. Below are the questions we posed.

Read the Responses:

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Republican

Martin O'Malley
Democrat

1. Arts and cultural organizations in Maryland contribute immeasurably to the quality of life in our state. In addition, the arts in Maryland have a major positive impact on the state's economy, generating 12,955 jobs, $34 million in state and local taxes, and creating an overall economic impact of nearly $1 billion dollars.

How do you think Maryland's quality of life is affected by its arts organizations? How will this be reflected in your policies and budgets?

2. For over ten years, Maryland Citizens for the Arts and the arts community throughout the state have shared a goal with Legislative Leaders and Governors to fund 10% of arts organizations' operating budgets through the Maryland State Arts Council's grants programs. In recent years, the level of State Arts Council funding has supported grants in the 6.5% - 7% range, and in the current fiscal year, funding was increased significantly allowing for grants of 8.5%.

The added increase in the State Arts Council budget needed to support a 10% grant level is an insignificant percentage (less than 1/10 of 1%) of the total State Budget. Do you support the goal of funding the State Arts Council budget in an amount necessary to provide 10% grants to arts organizations and as Governor will you work to make this long-standing goal finally a reality?

3. Arts Education has enjoyed a growing level of support from Legislators and Governors for more than ten years. What is your position relative to state funding for arts education instruction and programs in the public schools?

The Maryland State Board of Education has adopted the goal that "100 percent of Maryland's students will participate in fine arts programs that enable them to meet the content and achievement standards established by state standards for the arts." This goal places the arts--dance, music, theater and the visual arts-- on the same level as other core subject areas including reading, math, science and social studies. Do you agree with this goal? How will you support the achievement of this goal?