I tried digging up information about the nixing of the TCA, but I guess I’m just not much of an investigative journalist, ’cause I got nowhere. But, via ‘Bout What I Sees, I found an article on Cantanker about major political problems for TCA.

Written in November of last year, the article details dissatisfaction with the management of TCA:

The Sunset Review Commission threw the Texas Commission on the Arts a startling blow last session when it reversed its staff’s recommendations and gave TCA only a two-year continuation, rather than the customary 12-year stay that most state agencies are granted.

The Sunset Commission, a 12-member body of legislators and public members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House, was concerned with the dual direction the agency was taking as being both a funding organization and a service-oriented organization. They felt TCA should prioritize its role as a funding entity and were concerned that the agency was not taking its directives seriously. As a result, they took the necessary steps to send TCA a strong wake-up call.

The same article lays out the consequences of dissolving the 40-year-old state agency. Not only would the $3 million of state funding for the arts dry up, but the $800,000 Texas gets from NEA would also be jeopardized. Considering the amount of money Texas artists and institutions get from other sources, the loss of less than $4 million a year would not exactly be a mortal blow to the arts community. However, I know from personal experience that the TCA does provide some unique funding services, especially for arts workshops in schools, that would be missed.

The best thing for us to do now is contact state-level Senators and Representatives to try to find advocates for the agency. Rep. Bob Deuell formed the Cultural Resources Caucus in October of last year, which will hopefully be an ally in this battle. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more…

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