Today is the day to Save the Arts in SD! Act now!!

Dear Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society Supporter:

Today is the day to help save the arts in South Dakota! And I need your help. The Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society receives funding from the South Dakota Arts Council in order to keep JazzFest free, tour across the state with our Jazz Diversity Project, present quality concerts in our series, as well as our provide other educational outreach programs.

This week, a bill was introduced HB1229 (Click for a fact sheet) which proposes to provide funds from a .5% tax increase on what is best known as the “tourism tax.” It passed as amended in the House Taxation Committee by a vote of 15-0. This would keep the arts office open and help us receive a nearly 2 to 1 increase in our NEA grants due to Obama’s new stimulus package.

Most importantly it will insure that our quality of life in South Dakota continues to rise and that we have great art all across our state, helping to education and inform, entertain and enlighten!

Our representative’s will need to hear from you TODAY! This bill will be voted on as early as THIS MONDAY, Feb 23rd!

Please take a moment and send a quick message to our legislators, letting them know you support House Bill 1229. Something as simple as:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am in favor of HB 1229 as a way to help save the South Dakota Arts Council and keep the arts alive in our state! Thank you!

Be sure to add your town to your signature.

Click below and send your short message!
http://legis.state.sd.us/who/index.aspx

Thank you for what you are doing to help the arts in our state and the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society.

Robert Joyce
Executive Director
Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society
605-335-6101 rjoyce@sfjb.org