SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESB 6227

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 14, 1992

Brief Description:  Making the art acquisition program optional for institutions of higher education.

SPONSORS: Senators Saling, Stratton, Craswell, Cantu, Patterson and Rasmussen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Patterson, Vice Chairman; Cantu, Jesernig, and Stratton.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. 

      Signed by Senators Bluechel and Skratek.

Staff:  Jean Six (786‑7423)

Hearing Dates: January 29, 1992; February 4, 1992

BACKGROUND:

It is the policy of the state of Washington that a portion of appropriations for capital expenditures be set aside for the acquisition of works of art to be placed in public buildings or lands.  An amount of one-half of 1 percent of the appropriation for the original construction of any public building is expended by the Washington State Arts Commission for the acquisition of works of art.

A number of institutions of higher education have objected to participation in the visual arts program.  The primary objection has been that the public art chosen by the Arts Commission does not fit the community in which it has been placed.

SUMMARY:

Participation in the visual arts program administered by the Washington State Arts Commission is optional for state institutions of higher education.  The governing board of the higher education institution may designate the projects and sites for optional participation on a project-by-project basis  in coordination with the Washington State Arts Commission.  The funds appropriated will remain with the institution.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The option to participate in the visual arts program provides needed management flexibility at the public institutions of higher education.  The institutions need flexibility in setting capital funding priorities.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Do not make participation optional.  Art can be a teaching tool and we believe it creates an environment conducive to learning.  NCSL praises Washington as a national model.  Please do nothing to erode the public arts program.

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Don Fowler, President, CPTC; Larry Ganders, WSU Legislative Liaison; Ron Bell, President, Shoreline Community College;  CON:  John Vadino, Performance Support Service; John Firman, Director, State Arts Commission