Arts leaders have 'faith' in Gov Snyder's commitment to the arts

Arts advocates were in Lansing this week, but not to protest Governor Rick Snyder’s budget proposal. They were there to talk about how the arts can help re-invent Michigan.

Ken Fisher is president of the University Musical Society. He says he has faith in Governor Snyder's commitment to the arts:

"He supported music and culture in Ann Arbor, he’s got kids that play the trumpet, and I just hope he’ll see the opportunity that the arts have to really be a partner to his plan."

Snyder’s budget proposal calls for no cuts to current state arts funding.

Craif Ruff with Public Sector Consultants says "bravo" to the Governor for supporting arts and culture, but he adds that the state has "a long way to go to catch up."

The arts currently get around $2.5 million in state funding, down from $26 million just a decade ago.

As noted in a recent Michigan Radio documentary, The Cost of Creativity, Michigan taxpayers will spend more on prisons in 11 hours than they spend on arts and culture in the entire year.

Arts advocates say the state's arts and culture sector can help boost Michigan’s economy, generate tourism and economic development.