Arizona Arts and Civic Engagement
(5-21-10) Robert Booker, executive director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts, responds to requests for his position on recently enacted laws from the state of Arizona:
Over the last few weeks Arizona constituents and national friends of the arts have wondered about the Arts Commission’s position related to several recently-enacted Arizona laws.
The Arizona Commission on the Arts is a 43-year old agency of the State of Arizona. And the truth is, though it is personally difficult at times, it is not legal or permissible for state agencies – as agencies – to engage in or take official positions related to state or federal laws, political issues or elections. Of course, individuals and organizations are not bound by the same set of rules...