Idaho arts commission seeks increase in operating budget

The Idaho Commission on the Arts is requesting a budget committee accept Gov. Brad Little’s request that will result in an operating budget of just more than $2 million for fiscal year 2020.

Commission Director Michael Faison on Monday told the Joint Finance-Appropriation Committee that the commission helps support such events as the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest & Festival held each summer in Weiser.

The commission also has a variety of other programs that help Idaho artists as well as training artists.

Most of the commission’s operating expenses, more than $1 million, come from the federal government.

Little is recommending the commission receive $856,900 from the state’s general fund. That’s about $16,000 more than the previous fiscal year.

Lawmakers will decide on the budget for Faison’s agency in the coming weeks.