On March 12, 2008, the East Valley Tribune reported that “Among possible cuts that the town will discuss in coming weeks is the elimination of the town’s arts and cultural position and minor program costs that go with the job - a total of $98,260 annually” (article ref).

The estimated median household income in Gilbert in 2005 was $76,171 (ref); the budget amounts to less than $0.50 per resident per year.

The Tribune article states that “town officials have complained they aren’t getting enough art for that money, and have seen only about four grants in five years.” In the past the employee concentrated on “free programs due to the town’s desire to keep costs down and the minimal funding for the arts.”

If the town provided minimal funding through Gilbert’s recent boom years, what can we expect for the arts in the future?