City budget issues: Theater arts...


June 13, 2008 · Updated 4:41 PM 

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When I attended the Federal Way City Council’s budget hearing with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, I learned about a proposed decrease of $17,000 in yearly funding for Knutzen Family Theater. The rationale given was that this revenue loss for the theatre could be recouped by increasing theatre rental fees. However, there was no corresponding proposal to decrease the $250,000 yearly funding for Celebration Park. The city receives only a fraction of that support as revenue return.

Knutzen Family Theater is a venue for local non-profits arts organizations, but our performing groups struggle now to pay the rental fees. Our fragile arts programs deserve to be as valued as the organizations and programs using Celebration Park. Cultural organizations play a vital role in the quality of life of our Federal Way citizens, and they bring that balance needed to sustain a city where all can work and play.

Betty Huff

Federal Way

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