After 9/11, Arlington stopped funding the arts organizations in the city. Like many cities in Texas, Arlington’s arts money comes from the local hotel occupancy tax. Concerned citizens are now trying to get Mayor Cluck (that’s his real name) to reinstate annual operating support to Arlington arts organizations. The old funding accounted for 11-14% of the Arlington Museum of Art’s annual budget, and was free of charge to the taxpayers.
Ah, public arts funding in Texas…
