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Supporters of the Montana Arts Council made their case for funding in front of lawmakers during a Joint Subcommittee on Education meeting in early January 2011. At the time, the organization received around $450,000 a year from the general fund, another $200,000 from the coal tax, and $800,000 from the federal government, according to Montana Arts Council Executive Director Arlynn Fishbaugh.
Fishbaugh said a push to eliminate the Arts Council around 1994 resulted in the group refocusing their efforts.
“For something to be worthy of state investment, there has to be a return on public investment funds,” she said.
The arts brought in $4.5 million in tax revenue to the state, Fishbaugh told legislators. Bob Wagner requested the organization provide figures about how much the state provided in tax refunds for art donations. Wagner said he understood the value of the arts.
"The structure of how we fund it has to make business sense,” said Wagner.
Hamlett said the testimony from Arts Council supporters was “very compelling.”
“Keeping kids engaged in school is very important,” Hamlett said.
