But Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter says the arts are even more valuable in tough economic times when people need a boost. He says arts funding needs to be protected as much as possible.
The Philadelphia Cultural Fund's budget for fiscal 2009 was cut by 24 percent from the initial spending plan. However, that's still an overall budget increase from the previous fiscal year.
Nutter says arts and culture in the region employs 40,000 people and generates more than $1 billion in economic activity every year.
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