The Arts Council of Indianapolis will give its public testimony on the budget to the Parks and Recreation Committee on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. in Room 260 at the City County Building.  The room has been pretty full in previous years, so come early if you want to come show your support for ongoing public funding for the arts.

A couple of Councilors have told me recently that they value the arts and are looking for creative solutions in order to provide city support for the arts and arts programs - financial as well as in-kind.  If you can, please come to the committee hearing, as well as the public budget hearing on Sept. 8, to share your own story with them about the value of arts education and the impact the arts has on Indianapolis’ quality of life and economic development.

The Hoosiers For Fair Taxation blog includes a post about Councilor Christine Scales (who is opposed to funding for the arts), who will talk about the city budget and cutting arts funding on Abdul in the Morning on WXNT at 7:10 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday). Mayor Ballard will be Abdul’s guest from 8 to 9 a.m.  on the same topic. If you want to call in your support for arts funding, this is your chance. The number is (317) 228-1430.