Numerous U.S. state and jurisdictional governments cut their arts budgets in 2003 and 2004. The author argues that the reason for these cuts is not just a one-time fiscal crisis, but the political weakness of state arts agencies that has arisen because of a growing mismatch between their roles and structures and the cultural and political realities they face. A shift in the arts agencies' focus and funding may be a solution, but it cannot take place until important conceptual and practical issues are resolved.
