Photograph by Paul Myers
Construction work continues at Montalvo, where an artists' colony is being built. Work will continue in spite of state budget woes.
State budget woes could reduce art colony funds
By Oakley Brooks
Budget cuts in Sacramento appear to have dealt their first major blow to Saratoga, as state Sen. Byron Sher, D-Stanford, announced recently that Montalvo could lose $300,000 set aside in the state parks and recreation department budget for the arts center's expanding artists' colony.
In October, Gov. Gray Davis froze money in the state general fund that had not yet been distributed. The move was part of the governor's attempt to handle a budget deficit that currently sits at $15 billion.
According to Sher staff member Mike Potter, the general fund cuts included $43 million in projects pushed by individual members of the state legislature--Sen. Sher and Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn, D-Saratoga, had backed the money for Montalvo.
Potter said other projects in the area might be in jeopardy--including $200,000 each for Coyote Creek restoration and improvements at Crystal Springs Reservoir.
As of late last week, Potter was still waiting for the final list of specific funding cuts that would affect the region.
Montalvo Executive Director Elisabeth Challener said she would wait for official word from Sen. Sher's office before giving up on the state money completely.
"Things change on a daily basis in Sacramento," Challener said.
But if the funding were cut, Challener said, the projects within the artists' colony for which the funds were earmarked would go ahead. The organization had planned to use some of the money for environmental restoration around the new colony and another chunk of the funds for a new classroom where artists-in-residence would work with local students.
Challener said that regardless of state funding, the artists' colony was on schedule to be completed in the fall of 2003. So far, she said, the organization had raised $7 million toward a final goal of $9.5 million for the colony, which will house 10 emerging writers, painters and composers for one- to three-month residencies.
Challener added that the support of Assemblywoman Cohn and Sen. Sher would continue to work in Montalvo's favor as it pushed for completion of the colony project.
"We have to be realistic about recognizing the challenges the state is facing," said Challener. "The important thing is we have public support. When the money becomes available, it will happen. The timing just has to be right."
Saratoga, California Since 1955
