Should ArtsPartners funding be renewed?
ArtsPartners’ funding agreement with the City of Peoria and the Civic Center to receive 2.5 percent of Peoria’s Hotel, Restaurant and Amusement (HRA) Tax is up for renewal for four more years. In August, the Civic Center Authority Board voted unanimously to continue funding and approve an agreement capped at $75,000 per year. Last night, the City Council deferred the issue for one month. What do you think?
Yes, ArtsPartners should continue to receive this modest portion of the HRA tax
80% (52 votes)
No, ArtsPartners should look to the private sector for funding or merge with the Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
15% (10 votes)
Not sure
5% (3 votes)
Total votes: 65
This modest funding for ArtsPartners is far more important to the cultural structure of Peoria than the $3 million dollars forced from the tax-paying residents for the seasonal baseball park.
I wholeheartedly agree that funding of the Arts is vital to Peoria's vitality and sense of inclusiveness; a stepping stone towards being an "All-American City.
I'm embarassed that this is even a topic of discussion! Our elected officials should support the funding of ArtsPartners and fund them with a multiple year commitment. Let them prove to the community what they can do when they have our support; so far they've only had lip-service!
As for merging with the CVB, their missions could not be less compatible. The CVB is about room nights and convention days; ArtsPartners is about building and strengthing the Arts Community in an effort to improve our quality of life. If they (ArtsPartners) need a 'big brother', the CVB is not it.
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