The following reflects Artlink’s position on arts and culture as the City of Phoenix develops its 2026–2027 budget, and is offered as a resource for testimony or comments.
You can express your support for increasing the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture budget by submitting a message through the City’s online comments portal, or by email or phone. (Find your City Council District here.)
- We are grateful that the City of Phoenix continues to invest in arts and culture through the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture (POAC), and we appreciate the care it takes to balance priorities across our nation’s fifth largest city.
- POAC is lean but highly effective, supporting a sector that spans more than 500 square miles—serving residents, strengthening communities, and contributing to the experience of over 20 million annual visitors.
- Artists and arts organizations are part of every district in Phoenix, generating $450 million in economic activity each year and supporting nearly 8,000 jobs.
- Phoenix’s investment in arts and culture helps define what makes our city distinct, through public art, grantmaking, citywide programs, and stewardship of 11 cultural venues.
- Even so, investments in this sector represent less than 1% of the overall city budget.
- As Phoenix grows—and as POAC takes on expanded responsibility for our cultural infrastructure—there is an opportunity to ensure investment keeps pace with population growth, rising costs, and sector needs.
We recommend an investment of $2 per capita in support for local artists and arts organizations to strengthen community life and expand access to the arts.
We share the belief that arts and culture belong in every part of Phoenix, and we look forward to continued conversation about how to build on this momentum
City of Phoenix Budget Hearings (view on phoenix.gov)
| Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 8:30 am | D3 | Sunnyslope Community Center Multipurpose 802 E. Vogel Avenue |
| Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 6:00 pm | Spanish Language (English interpretation available) | South Mountain Community Center Century Room 212 E. Alta Vista Road |
| Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 10:30 am | Communitywide Bilingual Hybrid (virtual/in-person) | City Council Chambers 200 W. Jefferson Street |
| Monday, April 13, 2026 | 6:00 pm | D2/D3 | Paradise Valley Community Center Multipurpose 17402 N. 40th Street |
| Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 6:00 pm | D8 | South Mountain Community Library 7050 S. 24th Street |
| Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 6:00 pm | Communitywide Hybrid (virtual/in-person) | City Council Chambers 200 W. Jefferson Street |
