ICYMI: ASC Statement: Charlotte City Council Vote

Submitted by Jaime Sharp on March 6, 2023

From ASC: Last night, Feb. 27, 2023, Charlotte City Council approved a policy framework for its Arts and Culture Advisory Board. The framework makes ASC ineligible to receive operating dollars to support the personnel, technology and other resources necessary to do its work for the broader cultural sector.

ASC is deeply disappointed by the City Council’s vote because:

1. The City’s Arts and Culture Advisory Board was created to distribute funds from the Infusion Fund. Its charge is to help provide stability for the cultural sector for three years (Fiscal Years 2022-2024) while the City’s Cultural Plan is developed. The Cultural Plan is yet to be completed.

2. ASC has received operating support dollars for the first two years of the Infusion Fund. This decision by City Council changes the course in the final year of the Infusion Fund and goes against a key tenet of its Arts and Culture Advisory Board, which is “Do No Harm.”

3. Since the creation of the City’s Arts and Culture Advisory Board, ASC has been a partner to help invest in the sector. It will continue to partner with the Arts and Culture Advisory Board in the final year of the Infusion Fund.

ASC is grateful to those who advocate on its behalf. Thank you.

ASC is Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Local Arts Agency. Its role is to support the broader cultural sector and provide funding and services to strengthen the sector culturally, socially, educationally and economically. ASC does its work with intention, inclusivity and equity at its core. ASC is proud of the amazing work its team does to support creative individuals and organizations of all sizes across the community.

ASC will continue to show up each day to invest in the people, programs and ideas that make Charlotte-Mecklenburg a more equitable, sustainable and creative ecosystem.

ASC is currently building its budget for next year and knows it will need increased support from the community. If you care about ASC and its work, please make a financial gift today.