Is the Government the best organization to be doing our arts funding. Did anybody notice the downsizing of the Arts Council budget, other than a few art bureaucrats? Do we really need a new tax in California? Discuss amongst yourselves.

Via AJ:

A New California Arts Tax? A member of the California state assembly proposes a dedicated tax to support the arts. "The bill calls for imposing a 1% surcharge on arts and entertainment admissions — a dime for a $10 movie ticket, about 53 cents for admission to Disneyland or a buck for a $100 seat at the opera or a top arena-rock band. That would raise at least $23 million in annual guaranteed funding for the California Arts Council, the state’s main arm for fostering nonprofit arts organizations through annual grants. From a peak of more than $30 million four years ago, the Arts Council has seen its annual funding cut to just more than $3 million." Los Angeles Times 04/16/05