Maine spending more tax dollars on art
They are at it again.
Our friends at the Maine Arts Commission are looking for artists to complete three art projects, one at the new Brewer Elementary/Middle School (a brand new school needs brand new art projects already?) one at Aubert Hall at the University of Maine in Orono, and a third one at the University of Southern Maine in Portland.
These three projects will cost taxpayers a total of $122,000 at a time when the state is facing about a $380 million shortfall.
We’ve highlighted some of the state’s expensive “art” projects before, including a feature in the 2009 Maine Piglet Book of the out-of-state artist’s dog paintings that reside in some choice rest-stops along I-95.
As the article mentions, Maine law designates one percent of consturction funds as “art funds,” but this writer, for one, thinks there should be a “no new spending” provision on that law during budget shortfalls like the one the state is currently facing.
When you are facing a budget crunch in your household, do you immediately run out and buy “Mona Lisa” for the living room? I don’t think so…
