State Sen. Paul Doyle, D-Wethersfield.
State Sen. Paul Doyle, D‑Wethersfield, has introduced legislation that would undo a longstanding requirement that state-funded building projects include an allocation for artwork.
Doyle said he’s not an “anti-arts guy,” but “it’s a luxury we can’t afford.”
The proposed bill, S.B. 148, would repeal section 4b-53 of the state general statutes, which obligates the State Bond Commission to set aside “not less than” 1 percent of state building project funds for art. The mandate has been in place since 1978.
According to an Aug. 30, 2010 Office of Legislative Research report, “Since January 1, 2005, the state has spent $3,137,894 for artwork in construction projects administered by the Department of Public Works (DPW administers most state building projects subject to the artwork requirements).”
The proposed legislation was referred last month to the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections, which voted to send the bill to a public hearing. The committee has an April 4 reporting deadline.
Speaking about state bonding in a Jan. 20 press release, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy emphasized the importance of job creation. “Using our bonding authority to make smart, strategic choices to help create jobs and invest in Connecticut’s physical and technological infrastructure is a really good idea.”
Referring to the governor’s statement, Doyle said he’s more inclined to think about jobs in the context of state building projects than artwork.
“A 20-year-old sculpture is not a job in 2011,” Doyle said.
“We are in extraordinary, difficult financial times,” Doyle said. “When the governor’s budget comes out, this [proposed legislation] will be a minor footnote.”
“I don’t think a lot of people appreciate where we are financially in the State of Connecticut,” he said.
Of the state’s 1 percent public art funding mandate, Doyle said, “I don’t think this is necessarily the best use of arts funds. … This is not a normal year. We have to prioritize.”
Karen Senich, executive director of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, would not comment on the proposed legislation.
Click here, here and here to read about how a local Percent For Art program has affected New Haven.