The Oklahoma Arts Council is asking for a 12-percent increase in its state budget. The council presented its budget request this morning to the state senate education-appropriation subcommittee. Director Amber Sharples says the funding is needed to extend the council’s reach into non-urban areas of the state.
The increase would amount to around $500,000. Last year’s Arts budget was just over $4-million. Sharples told the lawmakers that each dollar appropriated by the state, generates $14 in contributions from the private sector.