Arts council pleads for county to restore its funding in 2025 budget

The Carroll County Arts Council is asking the Board of Carroll County Commissioners to reconsider a decision to eliminate $43,000 in funding for the arts organization in the county’s proposed $541.6 million operating budget for fiscal 2025.

Frustration has abounded in recent months as the commissioners have been forced to find ways to eliminate a $12.6 million deficit for fiscal 2025, which starts July 1. Budget adoption is scheduled for May 21.

County officials have already decided to propose a 2-cent property tax increase, as well as a hike in the county’s housing recordation rate. County residents and agency officials poured into the Carroll County Arts Center in Westminster on May 6, expressing anger and frustration with the proposed tax increases and funding cuts.

Seated among them were members of the Carroll County Arts Council, who as a result of budget cuts are seeing their county funding slip away.

“I humbly request that the board restore the arts council’s budget to $43,000 for FY25,” said Lynne Griffith, executive director of the nonprofit. “This money will be a wise investment in not only the arts and culture of Carroll but will reap significant economic benefits for all of the county.”

Griffith said the loss of funding will “decimate” the free programming the council provides.

“We aspire to be a viable community resource, promoting equal opportunity for all to pursue, enjoy and understand the arts,” she said. “The arts council provides a significant amount of programming grants and scholarships for children and families.”

The council, formed in 1969, awards about $100,000 in grants annually to more than 30 small arts organizations, nonprofits, municipalities, individuals and students.

“Not only do we invest in the community, we drive tourism and therefore economic development,” Griffith said. “This year we are on track to bring more than 46,000 visitors to Carroll County. … We accomplish all we do with a staff of just six employees, $43,000 from the county, and 174 volunteers donating almost 3,000 hours.

“We’re proud of our efficiency and the dedicated staff and volunteers who make this happen,” she said. “I humbly ask that you restore our funding and invest in the economic and cultural vibrancy in this great county.”

In an interview Monday, Griffith said the arts council received $42,000 in the current operating budget.

“The bulk of the funding goes to programs, many of them free or at a low cost for children,” she said.

The council also receives state funding for operating costs.

This year, the council received $201,000 from the state, Griffith said. Next year, it is slated to receive the same amount.

The council’s total budget for the current fiscal year is around $1 million.

Griffith said unfortunately the council has yet to fully recover from the pandemic, as ticket sales and audience numbers remain low.

Programming came to a halt on March 13, 2020, and the council was forced to cancel the remainder of the 2019-2020 season. By fiscal 2003, the council hosted 140 events, and welcomed more than 11,000 people to movies and live performances, according to its annual report.

Overall, the county’s proposed operating budget cuts nonprofit funding from $4,268,410 this year to $4,237,140 proposed in 2025.

Currently included in the 2025 plan are funding for Access Carroll ($33,000); The ARC of Carroll County ($287,380); Care Healing Center ($195,210); Flying Colors of Success ($53,990); Human Services Program ($1,339,530); Penn-Mar Human Services ($281,800); Sheppard Pratt ($116,480); Springboard Community Services ($428,430); Target Community & Education Services ($287,380); and Youth Services Bureau ($287,380).