ST. PAUL, MN – This week, the Minnesota Orchestra announced that it will return its Fiscal 2013 Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) grant due to an ongoing lockout and labor contract dispute.
State grants totaled over $960,000 through June 30, 2013, which marked the end of the state’s fiscal year. The Minnesota Orchestra’s decision results in over $357,000 returned to the state’s General Fund and over $600,000 returned to the State Arts Board within its Operating Support Program, which funds over 100 arts organizations around the state.
The redistribution of funds was made possible thanks to the Omnibus Legacy Bill passed by the DFL-led Legislature and signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton.
The bill ensures that an organization that is not using funds for the intended purpose, in this case performing orchestral concerts, due to a lockout must return that money. Furthermore, language in the bill permits the State Arts Board to keep those funds and re-grant them, instead of having them returned to the Fund where they would wait a whole year for another appropriation.
House Legacy Committee Chair Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL—Minneapolis) says the provision in the bill allowing for the redistribution of funds was the result of input and feedback from committee hearings, which occurred as the Minnesota Orchestra lockout continued.
“Were it not for the language in the Legacy bill, this would not have been possible,” said Rep. Kahn. “I’m glad we took time to gather testimony in committee. With the orchestra lockout being such a fluid situation, the steps we took resulted in a stronger bill that will now keep funding in the pipeline for arts organizations that are vital for community enrichment.”
Rep. Kahn went on to express frustration with the lack of a solution to the current lockout.
“By no means am I pleased that the lockout continues. I would much rather see our state’s Orchestra go the route of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra towards a settlement, but until that happens, this is the best result we will get.”
Rep. Kahn encourages her constituents to contact her with any comments, questions, or other feedback. She can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4257, by email at rep.phyllis.kahn@house.mn, or by postal mail at 365 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.