Thank you for helping to save VCA

For those who haven't heard the recent buzz regarding the outcome of the state budget, the Virginia Commission for the Arts has been spared. The original House bill proposed 50% cuts to VCA in FY11 and total elimination in FY12. The conference committee was able to reach a much more reasonable compromise over the weekend, resulting in a 16.4% cut to VCA. This is in addition to the 30% in cuts VCA previously endured, but is still a huge victory compared to the potential elimination of our state arts agency.

The economy has a long way to go before nonprofit arts organizations return to their pre-recession capacity, but the fact that VCA has been spared is promising news. Why did legislators have a sudden change of heart? There is no question that, politics aside, the public outcry in support of the arts played a significant role in preserving the Commission for the Arts. To everyone who called, visited, wrote a letter or sent an email - THANK YOU! Your efforts truly made a difference.