Another Fight Over Arts Commission Brewing?

Last year Gov. Nikki Haley de-funded the South Carolina Arts Commission when she vetoed its funding in the budget, saying it had bloated administrative expenses. At the time, Haley said that while she appreciated the importance of the arts, its funding was not one of the core functions of government. A massive protest at the Statehouse followed. Both the House and Senate overrode the governor's veto and the Commission was saved.

This year, another fight looms.

In her executive budget proposal, Haley has suggested the Commission be rolled into the operations of the State Museum, which would eliminate the position of Executive Director while keeping the grants program intact. One of the main functions of the Commission is to give grant money to artists and arts organizations.

Betty Plumb, Executive Director of the South Carolina Arts Alliance, a non-profit that lobbies on behalf of arts organizations, said that Haley's move would put the South Carolina a class by itself. 

"We would be the only state in the country without a state Arts Commission," Plumb said. "The overwhelming number of people in South Carolina understand the importance of arts education in their children’s schools and in maintaining our vibrant downtowns."

In Columbia last week for Arts Advocacy Day, Plumb said that the Commission has driven down its administrative expenses to 18 percent of its total budget and disputed the notion that moving under the umbrella of the State Museum would save money.

George McLeer, Executive Director of the Mauldin Cultural Center, said despite Haley's proposal, he believes the governor is starting to come around. "Last year, she wanted to cut the Commission entirely and this year she doesn't," McLeer said. "So, we think she's beginning to realize that funding the arts needs to be in the budget."

Still, McLeer said he thinks putting the Commission under the State Museum would be mistake. "They have two different missions that require them to work with completely different groups," McLeer explained. "But more importantly, it may make us ineligible to for federal grants because we would no longer be able to receive money dedicated for State Arts Commissions."

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