For decades, Maryland proudly led the nation in its commitment to support arts and culture for all residents. The bi-partisan 1994 Arts Stabilization Act (ASA) was the first—and remains the only—state law across the nation mandating public funding for the arts. This visionary legislation provided the foundation for a vibrant, far-reaching cultural sector that enriches Maryland communities and fuels our state and county economies. Today, this 31-year commitment to creative expression, cultural vitality, and economic innovation is in danger.

Governors from both parties and the Maryland General Assembly have celebrated the ASA as a linchpin of Maryland’s cultural and economic success for decades. Now, Gov. Wes Moore’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and associated Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act proposals request the removal of the ASA. If realized, this action would dismantle a proven long-term strategy of thoughtful arts investment, destabilizing the creative industries that serve us all. Eliminating the ASA would represent a radical departure from historic bipartisan arts support and endanger both the present and future of Maryland’s diverse creative sector.

Maryland’s high ranking among U.S. states in per-capita funding for the arts is not merely a statistic. It represents our deep commitment to the arts and an understanding of their essential societal role. This commitment has catalyzed a thriving ecosystem of arts organizations from the most prominent symphonies to the smallest community theater groups, such as Amazing Theatre Co., Lumina Studio Theatre, and the Theatre Consortium of Silver Spring, in addition to Olney Theatre Center and Round House Theatre in Bethesda. The state’s cultural richness enhances quality of life in our communities and offers new opportunities for education, inspiration, and connection to all residents.

These numbers show the staggering impact of the arts:

• According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the arts sector in Maryland adds nearly $13 billion to the state economy, supports more than 80,000 jobs, and provides $7.3 billion in wages and compensation.
• A 2023 study completed by Americans for the Arts found the Montgomery County arts sector alone created $183 million in economic activity, supported 3,963 full-time equivalent jobs, generated $9.5 million in local and state revenue, and supported nearly $140 million in residential household incomes in 2022 alone.
• These statistics show Maryland’s appeal as a desirable place to live, work, and visit as arts organizations and the cultural economy drive tourism, create jobs, and stimulate economic activity across local communities.

Yes, budget challenges are real and cyclical. However, the ASA’s funding formula already accommodates lean years when adjustments are necessary. Proven effective and beneficial to Maryland’s cultural and economic vitality, the ASA should be protected. The arts are an undeniable asset for Maryland and Montgomery County: they shape our identity, educate our children, encourage civic pride, and spark economic growth. Abandoning a steady and time-tested funding approach now risks undercutting that success. We urge the Maryland General Assembly to stand firm in defending the ASA and to reject any proposal that would rescind one of the most successful state-led arts funding commitments in the nation.

Moore’s proposal overlooks how crucial the arts have been to Maryland’s prosperity—and how pivotal they will remain in the future. Let us not turn our backs on the very policies that made Maryland a national model for the creative economy. By maintaining our commitment to the ASA, we can continue to nurture a flourishing arts ecosystem—one that helps make Maryland and Montgomery County extraordinary places to live, work, and thrive.

Please consider contacting your state lawmakers to urge them to reject the proposed elimination of the ASA in the proposed Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act. Tell them how the arts have shaped your community and why stable funding is crucial — personal stories make a difference. And spread the word by sharing this issue with friends, neighbors, and on social media.

Rockville resident Suzan Jenkins is CEO of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County.