Commission on the Arts highlights $880,000 in grants, economic impact and a small FY2026 request

BOISE — The Idaho Commission on the Arts told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Feb. 6 that the arts sector has a measurable economic footprint in the state and that the agency’s small budget supports grantmaking, education programs and business training for artists.

Executive Director Laura Curry said the commission distributed about $880,000 in grant awards in the last fiscal year, funding 215 grants across 38 counties. Curry told the committee the arts produce an annual economic impact of about $2.7 billion in Idaho and support roughly 22,000 jobs statewide. The commission’s grant programs primarily support schools, school districts and nonprofit arts programs that meet one or more state arts‑education standards; awards require a 1:1 match from the awardee.

Funding for the commission is a mix of state general fund and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) federal funds, with occasional donated dedicated funds. The presentation noted a Creative West donation and matching federal and state funds in a prior year; the commission’s misc revenue fund receives inconsistent receipts that the agency expects to decline and to be used for smaller administrative costs.

For FY 2026 the agency requested an $18,400 ongoing general‑fund appropriation to support four additional arts‑education grants and to increase the state match for usable NEA funds. Director Curry and staff highlighted the commission’s small footprint in state government — ‘‘small but mighty’’ — and urged continued support for grantmaking and arts‑education programs, noting broader economic and educational benefits.

Committee members praised the economic and educational value of the grants and thanked the commission for outreach to communities across Idaho.

Curry said staff are available to provide local breakdowns of grant awards and economic‑impact figures to members who request them.