The YAM was recently informed (with less than 30 days notice) that the County will be cutting $100,000 from its funding. (Read a quick press release.) This is shocking and a terrible choice in our community. Hopefully, if we all raise our voices, they will reconsider their decision! Here are some quick steps that can take which could make all the difference!
1: Email the county commissioners
If you are able, please write a quick email to the 3 commissioners right now. Letters are important because they become a part of the public record! Please email them ASAP – before June 26th budget meeting next week.
Email addresses:
- djones@yellowstonecountymt.gov
- jostlund@yellowstonecountymt.gov
- mmorse@yellowstonecountymt.gov
- Department email: commission@yellowstonecountymt.gov
You might write about educational programming you or your children have participated at the YAM, or the way a particular exhibit you visited made you feel, or how important it is that we fund arts organizations as important as the museum for tourism and boosting the local economy. The museum not only helps by providing classes for kids and adults in Yellowstone County and beyond, but they also are the largest arts employer in the county! If they lost $100,000 in funding from Yellowstone County, they will likely have to cut both education programming and staff.
Here’s a quick template for what to write! It’s EASY! Make sure to include your name and zip code at the end.
Dear Yellowstone County Commissioners:
Please do NOT cut arts funding in Yellowstone County! I support the Yellowstone Art Museum because __. I feel that if you cut funding to the museum, you will be harming the county where I live because the museum is so important to me and my family and friends. Please reconsider your recent announcement that you plan to cut $100,000 from the YAM’s funding next year.
Sincerely,
[First Last Name]
[Home Zipcode]
2: Write a letter to the editor of the local papers, including the Billings Gazette.
3. Fill out a quick comment card at the reception desk at the museum or at this weekend’s SummerFair at the Metra!
4. Attend the Commissioners’ meeting, 9am June 26th.
The public are welcome to attend the budget hearing on this issue on the 3rd floor of the Stillwater Building at 9am in the Commissioner Boardroom.