PORT TOWNSEND — The largest non-profit arts and education agency on the North Olympic Peninsula is facing the loss of all state support for its education programs and half the funding for music festivals that bring visitors to the Peninsula.
“I know it’s a very difficult budget year, with difficult decisions being made,” said Carol Shiffman, director of Centrum, based at Fort Worden State Park.
“But we’re very concerned that the governor’s budget will put at risk, or simply eliminate, a broad range of Centrum’s programs.”
Facing a $2.4 billion budget shortfall, Gov. Gary Locke has proposed a $40 million cut in education funding for non-instructional services in the next biennium, and is asking the Washington Arts Commission to cut grants by 40 percent.
If his proposed budget is approved, Centrum would lose $170,000 a year for creative arts workshops for gifted students and up to half of the $100,000 annual support for its Fiddle Tunes, Jazz, Blues and other music and arts festivals.
“It’s too early to tell which festivals are at risk,” said Keven Elliff, Centrum’s marketing director.
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