Arts organizations ask for funding in new city budget

Notes

The meeting for the Budget & Finance Committee was called to order on time, at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4. The meeting was held in the evening for a public hearing on the proposed 2027 city budget.

Budget Director Andrew Dudas presented details on the proposed budget.

Presentation

Dudas explained the city’s priorities are economic development and neighborhood investment. He said the city wants to recruit and retain jobs to drive up income tax.

Nearly one-third of the city’s budget goes to the Cincinnati Police Department. About 28% goes to the Fire Department, and 28% goes to the city manager’s office. 

The Cincinnati Railway Fund accounts for $136 million and goes to maintenance of roads, bridges and street rehab. This year, $56 million will be dispersed.

Funding requests for external organizations can be $50,000 to $500,000. The online application is open now.

Council will have to pass the budget for Fiscal Year 2027 by the end of June. 

Public hearing

Jan Rosencrans spoke during the hearing to advocate for arts organizations as a whole. In 1927, his grandfather was one of the donors for the art museum. Millions of dollars from his estate were donated through the years. 

Joe Santangelo represented the Cincinnati Music Festival. The festival takes place each July and has been in operation since 1962.

Santangelo asked the city for financial support for the event, which is among the three largest Black events in the country. The other two – Jazz in the Gardens in Miami, Florida, and the Essence Festival in New Orleans – have both received financial support from their respective cities. CMF has not received public funding from Cincinnati to date, Santangelo said.

City money would “do what any grant would do, which would help procure the A-List talent that really drives this festival,” he said.

Since 85% of the attendees are from out of town, the festival has a tremendous economic impact on the region, Santangelo said. The last economic impact report presented 10 years ago showed a $110 million impact on the city.

Tabitha Anderson also spoke on behalf of CMF.

Eric Kearney, African American Chamber of Commerce president, advocated for continued support as the chamber celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

The chamber has a $2.8 billion economic impact per year, he said. It provides $10.3 million in earnings tax to the City of Cincinnati, offers 4,700 jobs and generates $1.75 million in wages to those employees.

“Effectively, we are helping the city grow its revenue, tax base, so when we are supported we do more for the city and we enable the city to do more.”

The chamber this year asked for $400,000, more than the typical allotment it has received in previous years. Kearney said they are asking for that due to the 30th anniversary, and then they expect to return to prior funding models.

Gregory Parker also spoke on behalf of the chamber.

Kathy Garrison, director of Artsville in Madisonville, said the arts center is celebrating its 10th anniversary this fall. It serves youth, elders and other residents in the neighborhood who need a place to belong, she said.

It has served 2,500 youth for free sponsored arts programs, 780 seniors for lunches, and many other activities serving the neighborhood.

“Last fall many of you [council members] walked through our doors, saw the gallery alive with color. … You saw what happens when a community that has space that truly belongs to them,” Garrison said.

She asked council to consider Artsville for leverage funding this year.

Sonseri Frazier, board president for Midwest Apparel Creatives Foundation (Mac Foundation), asked the board to support its programming. Myra Walker, Darnell Walker and Simone Cox also spoke on behalf of the Mac Foundation. Their work helps jumpstart young people’s careers in fashion.

Stephan Pryor asked the committee to support CMF, the African American Chamber and Artsville.

Don Jonson advocated for the East Price Hill Association.

Greg Robinson asked for city money on behalf of Price Hill Will.

Adjournment

The next public hearings for the budget will take place March 11 in North Avondale and on March 16 in Sayler Park.

The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m. 

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