Atlanta mayoral candidates debate arts funding

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta's got to have art, doesn't it?

The city's four leading mayoral candidates were asked at a candidate forum Monday night to outline their commitment to arts programs and how they would pay for them if they take office in January.

Funding solutions presented to the audience of about 200 people at the Woodruff Arts Center were limited, primarily due to the city's perilous financial situation. Some arts organizations have complained they're not getting enough city support. Arts funding has received less attention at previous candidate forums.

Former state senator Kasim Reed proposed a referendum for residents in DeKalb and Fulton counties to decide whether to use an undetermined portion of sales tax money to fund arts programs. He pointed to the city of Denver as a model for the idea.

Candidate Jesse Spikes countered the city must first focus on doing a better job of collecting fees, which could go to fund arts programs.

Asked if they would commit to spending at least $10 million a year on arts programs, Reed and Councilwoman Mary Norwood said they'd work toward that goal. City Council President Lisa Borders said she'd concentrate on public/private partnerships. Spikes said he'd create a dedicated funding source which wouldn't include the city's operating fund that pays for most services, including police and fire protection.

The forum was sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Arts & Culture Coalition.

Here's a little more from the four mayoral candidates invited to speak at a forum Monday evening that focused on the arts. It was the third debate of the day. The candidates offered few differences on their approach to arts funding.

Lisa Borders on her idea for the city to assume control from the state for collecting sales tax revenue, which she says could help pay for some arts programs: "It would be collecting dollars on the table that are being left uncollected."

Mary Norwood on her support for allowing artists to use city recreation centers and work with young people: "I would ... say here are facilities I would like for you to be a partner in."

Kasim Reed on his idea of using space in the Fairlie-Poplar historic district in downtown Atlanta for artists to live and work: "I think now is the time to think it through and soon act."

Jesse Spikes on his approach to help fund arts programs: "The first place to start is to get rid of the waste that's in the system and to make sure that our services are being delivered in the most efficient, cost-effective manner."