Brief Description: Limiting expenditures for works of art at correctional facilities.

Sponsors: Representatives Sells, B. Sullivan, Curtis, Dunshee, Williams, Kristiansen, Nixon and Darneille.

Hearing Date: 2/23/05

Staff: Marziah Kiehn-Sanford (786-7349).

Background:

In 1974, the Legislature established the Art in Public Places program, also known as the "one-half of one percent program." The program is administered by the Washington State Arts Commission.

The program is funded from the state's capital budget through an allocation of one-half of one percent of each new state agency or public school construction project. The program for colleges and universities also includes renovation projects in excess of $200,000. The funds generated from the program are set aside for the acquisition of new artwork through the Arts Commission, which retains 15 percent of the funds for administrative costs. In 1983, a revision to the legislation was made to allow for the pooling of artwork allocations.

Works of art acquired through the program become part of the state art collection and are generally displayed within the building project or nearby grounds of the project generating the funding. The collection currently holds over 4,600 works, with an acquisition value of over $17 million.

In 1995, a temporary ban on the acquisition of works of art for new state prison facilities was enacted by the Legislature. The ban expired at the end of the 1995-97 biennium.

Since that time, the Department of Corrections has adopted a policy to place works of art generated from their major construction projects in the host communities in which the correctional facilities are located.

Summary of Bill:

The artwork allocations from the Department of Corrections capital appropriations are eliminated.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.