State cuts have Elgin area arts groups concerned

Money doesn't grow on trumpets.

So the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra wasn't too thrilled to learn recently of a proposed $7 million budget cut for the Illinois Arts Council.

The 30 percent budget cut is included in the governor's veto budget.

And if approved, it would mean the youth orchestra, and other area organizations, will lose thousands of dollars in state funding.

"We don't have a lot of extra money built into the budget," EYSO executive director Kathy Matthews said. "We were expecting close to $20,000. That's a large amount of money when you cut it by a third."

Representatives from the Illinois Arts Alliance say the proposed 30 percent cut is the largest in the Illinois Arts Council's 42-year history.

"This would be a huge step backward for Illinois, and it's going to mean less art in communities and schools throughout the state," arts alliance executive director Ra Joy said in a statement. "Drastic cuts at this level will jeopardize Illinois' reputation as a state that values creativity and embraces the arts."

In the Elgin area, 13 groups received a combined $171,000 from the Illinois Arts Council in fiscal year 2006, according to the council's annual financial report.

Matthews said the annual grant is typically the largest EYSO receives each year.

To help cover the shortfall, the group has a fundraising luncheon scheduled for Sept. 29 at the Outback Steakhouse on Randall Road. All proceeds benefit the orchestra.

But Matthews said the group may have to look at budget cuts and more fund-raisers if the grant money doesn't come through.

"We have not had a chance for the finance committee to meet and come up with a plan," she said. "Who knows how this is going to end up."

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is also bracing for the budget cuts.

"It will certainly be a hit that we will feel," executive director Michael Pastreich said. "Our corporate sponsors, our patrons, are going to have more pressure put on them because of this."

But Pastreich said the Elgin Symphony Orchestra won't be hit as hard as smaller organizations that rely on the grants more for general operating expenses.

For those organizations, he said, "I think this could really be the difference between the lights coming on and the lights not coming on."

Funding for the arts in Elgin

Elgin area organizations received nearly $171,000 in grants from the Illinois Arts Council in fiscal year 2006. This year, the council's budget may be cut by roughly $7 million.

Illinois Arts Council grants

• Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra $55,060

• Elgin Symphony Orchestra Association $48,300

• Elgin Community College $15,750

• The Elgin Children's Chorus $12,810

• Elgin Choral Union $10,490

• Hamilton Wings $9,130

• Elgin Children's/Fox Valley Youth Theatre $8,070

• City of Elgin $5,000

• Heartland Voices $4,260

• Natalie Pepa $1,000

• Elgin Academy $430

• Willow Lakers Social Club $235

• Fox River Country Day School $150

Source: Illinois Arts Council Fiscal Year 2006 annual report