The Hawai‘i Arts Alliance, a nonprofit arts advocacy group, is urging the public to take action on House Bill 1378. The bill, which has passed the Legislature, is now waiting for a decision from Governor Green. If signed, it would reduce public funding for the arts, according to the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
The Hawai‘i Arts Alliance says House Bill 1378 would cut funding for arts and culture programs across the state. The bill would reduce the State Foundation’s budget, which could result in 43 fewer Artists-in-the-Schools residencies and affect the Works of Art Special Fund that supports community arts programs. The Alliance states, "This bill threatens to dismantle decades of progress in arts and culture funding and significantly weakens the infrastructure that supports artists, schools, and communities across Hawai‘i." It also says the bill would impact the "Percent for Art" law, which has funded public art since 1989. The proposed change would lower its annual funding from $5.5 million to $3 million. The group is asking the public to contact Governor Green and request a veto, as reported by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
In response to House Bill 1378, the Hawai‘i Arts Alliance has proposed creating a collaborative task force "Rather than dismantling the Works of Art Special Fund." The task force would include key stakeholders to address concerns, improve transparency, and maintain the fund’s purpose. The Alliance suggests the fund could also expand to support both visual and performing arts. This comes as the federal government has proposed eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts. The Alliance is encouraging residents to submit comments to Governor Green through a link provided on their website, as stated by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
