The public art bill establishes a Public Art Commission and a fund to support commissioned works of art in conjunction with new state facilities. |
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April 14, 2005-Companion pieces of legislation, House Bill 749 / Senate Bill 793, were passed this week to create a public art program for Maryland. The Maryland General Assembly passed the public art bills by an overwhelming majority (House 133-0, Senate 42-3) on April 11, 2005.
The legislation establishes a fund to support the commissioning of works of art in conjunction with new state facilities and, on a discretionary basis with an equal match, at other public facilities around the state. While funding is not mandated, it is the expressed intent of the General Assembly that the Governor will provide annual funding of up to $1 million. Funding of individual projects will be determined by a Public Art Commission to be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development. The program will be administered by the Maryland State Arts Council.
The effort to create this legislation was spearheaded by Comptroller William Donald Schaefer. The bills would not have passed without the help of all the members of the arts community across the state who contacted their legislators to urge them to vote for the bills. Citizens are now encouraged to call, e-mail, and/or write William Donald Schaefer, the Chairmen and members of the Senate BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE, the House APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, the sponsors, and your own State legislators today, and thank them for voting for House Bill 749 / Senate Bill 793.
Access the document below to get 1) contact information for Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and for the bill sponsors as well as 2) sample text expressing gratitude for the lawmakers' commitment.
Sponsors of the legislation include:
- House Bill - Delegates Richard Madaleno, Maggie McIntosh, Adrienne Jones, Melony Griffith, and Elizabeth Bobo.
- Senate Bill - Senators Ida Ruben, Nathaniel McFadden, Gwendolyn Britt, Richard Colburn, Ulysses Currie, Roy Dyson, Nathaniel Exum, Jennie Forehand, Brian Frosh, Rob Garagiola, John Giannetti, Lisa Gladden, Leo Green, Sharon Grosfeld, John Hafer, Paula Hollinger, Verna Jones, Delores Kelley, Rona Kramer, Gloria Lawlah, Thomas Middleton, Donald Munson, Paul Pinsky, and Leonard Teitelbaum.
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