By Kali Schumitz; Fairfax County Times; Thursday, March 4, 2010

The Annandale-based American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras has been grooming promising young musicians from Northern Virginia since 1964.

But one line item in the state budget could wipe out about 18 percent of the nonprofit organization's budget, forcing it to pull back some of its services. The music education group brought in about $600,000 in 2008, according to its most recent tax filing.

"It would have an immediate and direct impact on our education and outreach programs," Tomoko Azuma, executive director of the youth orchestras, said of the House of Delegates proposal to eliminate the Virginia Commission for the Arts over the next two years.

Virginia is facing a $4 billion budget shortfall over the next two years, and lawmakers are weighing deep cuts to all areas of state government, including core services such as education, Medicaid and public safety.

A bill the House approved Feb. 25 would cut the commission's funding in half in fiscal 2011, saving $2.23 million, and eliminate it entirely in fiscal 2012, saving an additional $4.46 million. Virginia has lower per capita funding for the arts than all its neighboring states, according to the advocacy organization Virginians for the Arts.

"I'm really shocked and appalled by this proposal," Azuma said. "I think it's really short-sighted by legislators to even think of doing something like this."

The cut was not proposed in the state Senate. The two houses of General Assembly are now resolving the differences between their two budgets.
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If included in the final budget, the commission cuts could have serious implications for the Arts Council of Fairfax County and the approximately 600 artists and arts organizations the council supports, said Linda Sullivan, its interim president and CEO.

"We're very concerned," Sullivan said. "This could be a double whammy for the groups we support."

Some groups, including the youth orchestras, receive grants directly from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and, indirectly, through the Arts Council. The Arts Council received more than $980,000 in government grants in 2008, according to its latest available tax return, most of which it passed to other groups and individuals.

Fairfax County Executive Anthony H. Griffin also is proposing a slight decrease in the county's funding for the Arts Council in fiscal 2011.

The youth orchestras have many other funding sources, including tuition and corporate and individual donors, so their core programs would continue. But losing state funding would likely mean that they couldn't continue some programs that benefit people without means, Azuma said. That includes eliminating the Music Buddies program and reducing the number of free concerts the youth groups perform each year at locations such as nursing homes.

The Music Buddies program provides free music lessons to about 30 promising young musicians every year who otherwise could not afford a private tutor. The program also helps the students pay for equipment, such as clarinet reeds and music books.

In addition, Azuma said she is worried that losing state funding will make it harder for the group to encourage private-sector funding.

Every $1 the state invests in the arts is matched by $7 from businesses, individuals and local governments, according to Virginians for the Arts. Virginia would lose about $1 million in federal arts grants if it cannot provide matching funds.

"We impact the quality of life in communities . . . and we generate a lot of income in communities," Sullivan said of Virginia's arts industry.

She said she understands the predicament state legislators face.

"I think they have a very difficult choice," Sullivan said. "I don't think it says that the arts are any less important."

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