THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 25, 1995 TAG: 9501250005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
I am vice president of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads, an umbrella organization that represents nearly 300 cultural organizations which create richness of life in Hampton Roads and have a combined annual economic impact on Hampton Roads of $274 million.
Instead of the governor's proposed cut in the funding for the Virginia Commission for the Arts, I believe there should be an increase.
The arts and cultural organizations in Virginia represent at least 7,000 full-time jobs with growth potential. A year ago the legislature was willing to allocate $5 million to try to lure into Virginia one corporation which had 300 jobs.
The arts are an industry which does not require new roads, new sewers, new schools. To retain 7,000 jobs, we are asking for the investment of a couple million dollars. The industry has annual payrolls of more than $103 million in Hampton Roads alone. It is labor intensive, which means it has many employees working and paying taxes. It is a very successful return on state money no matter how it is evaluated - $2 million generating more than $103 million.
This industry depends on both earned and contributed income to finance itself. Take away state money and a significant seal of approval is removed. It lowers the industry in the eyes of all and immediately threatens the donated portion of the income pie.
Virginia needs to retain the 7,000 Virginia jobs of the arts-and-culture industry. Virginia should invest at least $3 million in those Virginia taxpaying positions.
MINETTE COOPER
Norfolk, Jan. 12, 1995 by CNB