Atlanta weighs 50 percent cut in arts funding

The city of Atlanta's support for artists and cultural groups appears heading for a significant cut, and the local arts community is preparing to rally.

In a recent e-mail to local arts organizations, Monica D. Prothro of the city's Office of Cultural Affairs said the city is considering a 50 percent cut -- from $470,000 to $235,000 -- in fiscal 2012 for its Contracts for Arts Service program funding.

Local artists and arts groups, including WonderRoot, gloATL and Dance Truck, have created a "Rally for the Arts" Facebook page inviting arts supporters to a rally outside City Hall at 5 p.m. Thursday and to a City Council finance committee public hearing at 6 p.m. HOWARD POUSNER