SAA Dedicated Revenue Strategies

NASAA’s State Policy Brief, Dedicated Revenue Strategies, shows how states use a variety of funding sources to support the arts. Dedicated revenue for state arts agencies can come from special taxes, gaming, license plates, tax checkoffs, bonds and cultural trusts. Although dedicated revenues increased over the past decade, state general funds still comprise a median of 89.5% of revenues for the 52 state arts agencies that receive general funds.

The graph below shows dedicated revenue funding trends over time. From fiscal year 2015 to 2016, dedicated funding increased by $14 million due to a voter-approved bond issuance for cultural facilities in Rhode Island. Dedicated funding provides a median of 23% of total state funding for the 27 agencies that receive dedicated funds. The brief provides policy considerations and advice for state arts agencies considering a special funding initiative.

NASAA currently is compiling final state revenue figures for FY2017, and we look forward to presenting fresh appropriations data in the new year. Contact Ryan Stubbs or Patricia Mullaney-Loss with any questions on dedicated revenue initiatives, or requests for customized revenue reports for your state.