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Commission on the Arts details grants, economic impact and a small increase request for arts education grants
Summary
The Commission on the Arts told the Joint Finance Committee that it distributed grants across 38 counties and seeks an $18,400 ongoing general-fund increase to expand arts education grants; the commission highlighted arts' $2.7 billion annual economic impact in Idaho.
The Commission on the Arts presented its FY 2026 budget request to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Thursday, describing recent grant activity, a modest request to expand arts education grants, and the statewide economic footprint of the arts.
Kellen McGurkin, Legislative Services analyst, summarized the commission’s finances and recent activity: the agency distributed roughly $880,000 in grants in the most recent fiscal year across 38 counties, supporting projects in schools and nonprofit organizations. McGurkin noted the commission’s budget is funded by state general funds and the National Endowment for the Arts, with occasional donations; one dedicated fund receives irregular revenues and has been used for grant matches in prior years.
Director Laura Curry said the arts produce an annual economic impact of about $2.7 billion in Idaho and support roughly 22,000 jobs. Curry described three agency functions — grantmaking, business training for artists, and recognition of excellence — and said the agency’s goal is to distribute funding broadly: "In the last fiscal year, of the 44 counties in Idaho, we were able to provide grants in 38 of those counties," she said. The commission requested an ongoing $18,400 from the general fund in FY 2026 to fund four additional arts and education grants and to increase the portion of NEA grant funds that can be matched in the coming year.
The commission noted that half of its expenditures are federal funds and that a small dedicated fund (miscellaneous revenue) declined to more typical levels after a one-time ARPA allocation in FY 2022. Director Curry described the agency as a "small but mighty team" and highlighted multiplier effects when residents and visitors attend arts events, spend on tickets, dining and lodging, and when artists operate small businesses in communities across the state.
Why it matters: The commission’s grants support schools and nonprofits and are presented by the agency as both cultural and economic investments. The requested $18,400 increase is modest but aimed at expanding arts education grants that require a one-to-one match from grantees.
What happens next: The committee heard the presentation and may consider the modest ongoing general-fund request during its appropriation work. The commission offered to provide county-level breakdowns on request.
