Arts Council warns continued cuts would damage programs, downtown recovery
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Summary
The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge said proposed FY2026 cuts to City‑Parish support would reduce staff and programs, jeopardizing school arts, public art maintenance and downtown events; the mayor and council questioned funding composition and suggested maintaining FY25 levels where possible.
Jonathan Grimes, president and CEO of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, told the Metropolitan Council that the agency has reliably drawn philanthropic and grant support while City‑Parish supplemental funding has helped close operating gaps. He said the agency’s City‑Parish allocation fell about 12% for FY2025 and the FY2026 proposal would reduce the city allocation to $250,000 — a 25% reduction — with the risk of $0 in FY2027 under current trends.
Grimes asked the council to hold funding at the FY2025 level rather than make deeper cuts, saying reductions would force the Arts Council to cut staff and reduce programs that serve schools and downtown economic activity. He said Community School for the Arts serves roughly 7,500 students in the parish school system and that cuts would reduce classroom arts instruction in schools without full‑time art teachers.
Councilmembers asked about the Arts Council’s overall operating budget and revenue mix. Grimes said the organization’s operating budget is approximately $2.5 million and is funded by grants, earned and contract revenue and private donations; City‑Parish support is a relatively small but steady portion that helps bridge federal and state funding gaps. He noted an economic‑impact projection tied to a previous Riverbend partnership that the council may reference in considering return on investment.
The council did not vote on funding; members said they will continue to review requests and possible amendments as the budget process continues.