A letter was forwarded to me re: arts funding in Maryland this morning, and as is often the case, when the going gets tough, one of the easiest things to cut is support for art – something that in MARYLAND adds nearly $13 billion to the state economy and supports more than 80,000 jobs. Yeah, including my own.
It is my belief that Maryland is one of the few states that has consistently recognized the value of the arts, culturally, financially, VISCERALLY, and has responded to that value by putting money towards it. This year, with a vast budget shortfall, Governor Wes Moore is trimming the sails wherever he’s able, but I’d argue that this PARTICULAR sail makes an awful lot of the state GO by pumping money back into the Maryland economy, providing jobs, lifting the ships of mental health and cultural recognition, and promoting community and togetherness at a time that it is desperately needed.
With all of the above in mind, I’ve edited and signed the letter below and sent it to the listed officials, in addition to my own representatives. If you’d like to try to save the Arts Stabilization Act (or simply learn more about it), please keep reading, and perhaps contact some people as well. Contact information for the parties mentioned in the letter is listed below for your convenience!
To:
Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore
Maryland Senate President, Bill Ferguson
Maryland House Speaker, Adrienne A. Jones
Honorable Members of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
Honorable Members of the House Appropriations Committee
On behalf of hundreds of arts organizations and artists across Maryland, we are writing urgently about Governor Moore’s FY2026 Budget Proposal and the potentially devastating long-term impact it could have on the stability and vibrancy of the arts in Maryland.
In his FY26 Budget and the subsequent Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act, Governor Moore requested that the Legislature remove the 30-year arts funding formula known as the 1994 Arts Stabilization Act (ASA). At the time, legislators recognized that a sensible approach to sustaining the arts was to safeguard funding and investment in a field well-known for its power to uplift and support communities throughout the state. The ASA became the first—and only—state law mandating public funding for the arts. This historic legislation ensures stable arts funding and has shaped Maryland’s arts sector into the incredible, wide-ranging industry it is today. Lawmakers and many stakeholders have celebrated this legislation for decades, and Maryland continues to enjoy a robust arts ecosystem that is a national model for sustainability and creativity.
Beyond its cultural significance, the arts in Maryland have a tremendous economic impact on the State. According to the latest Arts & Culture Production Satellite Account data, Maryland’s arts sector adds nearly $13 billion to the state economy, supports more than 80,000 jobs, and provides $7.3 billion in arts-worker compensation.
Thanks to the stability provided by the ASA, Maryland’s arts sector is consistently ranked among the top five states in per-capita arts investment. This strong foundation enables the Maryland State Arts Council to model equitable funding practices statewide. It ensures every county and Baltimore City benefits from a thriving and well-supported arts sector. While the arts sector understands the need for budget adjustments in lean years, the current formula allows for such corrections when necessary. In short, there is no reason to eliminate a policy that has proven effective and beneficial to many – and one that is a net positive to the state’s economy.
By proposing to rescind the ASA, the Moore administration risks eroding decades of bipartisan support from Governors Schaefer, Glendening, Ehrlich, O’Malley, Hogan, and the entire Maryland General Assembly. The arts are a strategic and prudent investment for the state, generating billions of dollars in economic impact, creating thousands of well-paying jobs, and providing countless cultural experiences Marylanders enjoy daily.
Sadly, this progress is at risk. The arts are not immune to economic headwinds. Challenges over the past five years—ranging from COVID-19 to current inflation—have deeply impacted our community. Though the Maryland arts sector is no stranger to tight budgets or uncertain times, we ask that you recognize our value to the state and the access we provide for all Marylanders. Now is not the time to abandon the power of the arts or diminish their role in supporting Maryland’s residents.
Therefore, Maryland Citizens for the Arts and the arts community below respectfully request that the Maryland General Assembly reject the proposed elimination of the mandated funding formula for the Maryland State Arts Council.
By maintaining this commitment, we can continue making Maryland an extraordinary place to live, work, and thrive.
Contacts:
Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore – State House
100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401 – 1925
Maryland Senate President, Bill Ferguson – bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us
Maryland House Speaker, Adrienne A. Jones – adrienne.jones@house.state.md.us
BUDGET & TAXATION COMMITTEE
Guy J. Guzzone, Chair – guy.guzzone@senate.state.md.us
James C. Rosapepe, Vice-Chair – jim.rosapepe@senate.state.md.us
John D. (Jack) Bailey – jack.bailey@senate.state.md.us
Joanne C. Benson – joanne.benson@senate.state.md.us
Paul D. Corderman – paul.corderman@senate.state.md.us
Shelly L. Hettleman – shelly.hettleman@senate.state.md.us
Michael A. Jackson – michael.jackson@senate.state.md.us
J. B. Jennings – jb.jennings@senate.state.md.us
Nancy J. King – nancy.king@senate.state.md.us
Cory V. McCray – cory.mccray@senate.state.md.us
Johnny Ray Salling – johnnyray.salling@senate.state.md.us
Karen Lewis Young – karen.young@senate.state.md.us
Craig J. Zucker – craig.zucker@senate.state.md.us
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Benjamin S. Barnes, Chair – ben.barnes@house.state.md.us
Mark S. Chang, Vice-Chair – mark.chang@house.state.md.us
Gabriel Acevero – gabriel.acevero@house.state.md.us
Barry S. Beauchamp – barry.beauchamp@house.state.md.us
Mark Edelson – mark.edelson@house.state.md.us
Catherine M. Forbes – catherine.forbes@house.state.md.us
Jefferson L. Ghrist – jeff.ghrist@house.state.md.us
Kevin M. Harris – kevin.harris@house.state.md.us
James C. Hinebaugh, Jr. – jim.hinebaugh@house.state.md.us
R. Julian Ivey – julian.ivey@house.state.md.us
Dana C. Jones – dana.jones@house.state.md.us
Jazz M. Lewis – jazz.lewis@house.state.md.us
Nino Mangione – nino.mangione@house.state.md.us
Aletheia R. McCaskill – aletheia.mccaskill@house.state.md.us
Susan K. McComas – susan.mccomas@house.state.md.us
Richard W. Metzgar – ric.metzgar@house.state.md.us
Malcolm P. Ruff – malcolm.ruff@house.state.md.us
Matthew J. Schindler – matthew.schindler@house.state.md.us
Emily K. Shetty – emily.shetty@house.state.md.us
Stephanie M. Smith – stephanie.smith@house.state.md.us
Jared Solomon – jared.solomon@house.state.md.us
Ryan S. Spiegel – ryan.spiegel@house.state.md.us
Joshua J. Stonko – joshua.stonko@house.state.md.us
M. Courtney Watson – courtney.watson@house.state.md.us
Sarah S. Wolek – sarah.wolek@house.state.md.us
(my representatives)
ANGELA D. ALSOBROOKS, U.S. Senator from Maryland
B40E Dirksen Senate Office Building, 50 Constitution Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20510
CHRISTOPHER VAN HOLLEN, JR. – https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/contact/email
KWEISI MFUME (Democrat) U.S. Representative – 1010 Park Ave., Suite 105, Baltimore, MD 21201
Senator Charles E. Sydnor, III – charles.sydnor@senate.state.md.us
Delegate Eric Ebersole – Eric.Ebersole@house.state.md.us