USE A TRIED-AND-TRUSTED MECHANISM — THE STATE ARTS BOARD AND REGIONAL COUNCILS
Op-Ed published in the Pioneer Press by Kate Wolford, president of the McKnight Foundation
More than 1.6 million Minnesotans voted to amend our state’s constitution in November. By passing the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, Minnesotans cast a historic vote to supplement traditional sources of funding to preserve and enhance the state’s cultural and environmental assets. But the amendment was only one important step toward serving voters’ intent.
To ensure that funds raised via the amendment are managed effectively for decades, it now falls on lawmakers to establish a statewide distribution plan before the Legislature adjourns on May 18. Fortunately for the amendment’s arts provision, a ready-made mechanism already exists: the Minnesota State Arts Board, an essential state-funded agency, working in partnership with Minnesota’s 11 Regional Arts Councils.