North Dakota Council of the Arts receives $2.7M budget approval and new positions

The North Dakota House Appropriations Committee convened on March 27, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 2010, which pertains to the budget for the Council of the Arts. The meeting began with procedural clarifications regarding amendments and the status of the bill.

Representative Murphy presented the budget details, highlighting the significant role of the arts in North Dakota's economy, which contributes 2.22% to the state's economic production and supports nearly 13,000 jobs. The Council of the Arts provides various grants to promote arts education and cultural initiatives across the state, impacting approximately 8,800 students and 680 educators.

Key amendments discussed included the reinstatement of a grants officer position, transitioning from part-time to full-time status, which would adjust the salary budget. The total general fund expenditures for the Council of the Arts were outlined as $2,720,000, with a focus on maintaining grant funding at approximately $2.3 million.

A notable addition to the budget was the authorization to accept a $150,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, aimed at funding a manager's position for the "Art Across the Prairie" project. This initiative will coordinate multiple art projects across the state, with an estimated cost of $454,142 for installation.

The committee also allocated $30,000 from the grants line to support the state troubadour and poet laureate, ensuring no additional costs to the state. Furthermore, a transfer of $25,000 was proposed to cover retirement costs for an upcoming vacancy.

After thorough discussion, the committee voted unanimously to adopt the amendments to Senate Bill 2010, with all members present supporting the motion. Representative Nelson noted the appointment of Jess Christie as the new director of the Council for the Arts, signaling a leadership change within the organization.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the amended bill, setting the stage for continued support of the arts in North Dakota.