A pair of local arts groups are planning a rally outside county government headquarters Tuesday to protest proposed budget cuts to some Arlington arts programs.
The rally, dubbed “A Celebration of the Arts in Arlington,” is set to take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, outside of the Ellen M. Bozman Government Center (2100 Clarendon Blvd) in Courthouse.
Organizers Encore Stage & Studio and Embracing Arlington Arts are protesting what the latter group says are “draconian cuts” of about $500,000 to arts programs including:
- Closure of the Scene Shop
- Closure of the Costume Lab
- Elimination of the Facilities Manager
- Elimination, in one year, of the Facilities Technology Services Director
- Elimination of the Audio Production Specialist
- Elimination of Supervisor of the After-Hours Building Engineers position
- Elimination of the Mobile Stage
- A $70,000 (1/3 of the total grant budget) cut to arts grant budget
A petition against the cuts, which would mostly affect theatrical productions, has gathered more than 2,750 signatures.
The rally is planned to coincide with the County Board’s public budget hearing at 7 p.m.
“Many of Arlington’s performing arts groups will be showcasing their talents and expressing their opposition to the proposed arts budget cuts,” says a press release about the rally before the hearing. “The community is invited to join the festivities and share stories about the positive impact of the arts in Arlington.”