City council members met Tuesday to discuss a variety of topics including the continuation of funding for local art programs through the Cultural Arts Grant Program. This program allows arts organizations to utilize funding for projects that promote tourism and hospitality to Lubbock.
“The funds that we have been recommended for are not funds that have been collected from local taxpayers, they are funds that we have created and we have earned based upon what we have already done,” Chad Plunket with the Charles Adam Studio Project said.
In previous meetings last year, council members took funding away from these programs due to material they deemed “not appropriate.” This action a local art advocate said sends the wrong message about Lubbock’s values.
“I don’t understand how we can tout our arts community — and at the same time, whittle away the funds that make it a great place to perform art, to create art, and to promote art as a selling point for our city,” Paul Bullock a local artist said.
Today, several people showed up to the meeting and asked council members for the same amount of support for these programs they have demonstrated in the past. Council members ultimately voted in favor for the continuation of funds.
Councilman David Glasheen said that eligibility requirements to use these funds have been updated since last year and he said this appropriately addresses the concerns brought forward by the council. He also said that they will continue to monitor this program, but for now it is full speed ahead for the Lubbock art scene.
