Members of the history community in Minnesota will gather on December 10, 11 and 15 to discuss the recently approved constitutional amendment and what may happen next.

What is known:

The constitutional amendment to increase and dedicate sales tax funds for outdoor and cultural resources passed in the November election with 56% of the vote.

“Minnesota history” is contained within the constitutional language. History funding is contained within the “Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.”

According to the Department of Revenue’s latest estimate, the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund will contain approximately $54 million per year.

Funds will ultimately be appropriated by the legislature.

Language within this new section of the constitution states that funding from this fund shall supplement existing sources of funding, but not be a substitute.

What is not known:

It is not clear how much money will be allocated to the various areas within the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, or by what mechanism funds will be allocated (i.e. citizens’ council, direct appropriation, etc.)

What can you do:

• Propose how the funding could be used. Specifically, what needs are there?
• Attend one of three meetings (same content, three locations): RSVP to David Kelliher
  • 7 p.m. December 10, 2008 at the Nicollet County Historical Society in St. Peter 7 p.m. 
  • December 11, 2008 at the Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud 3 p.m. December 15, 2008 at 
  • Historic Fort Snelling Visitor Center near the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport
• Attend “History Matters Day at the Capitol” on February 16, 2009.

If you would prefer to deliver your thoughts without posting them to this blog, please email David Kelliher at the Minnesota Historical Society who volunteered to compile comments for the Council for Minnesota Archaeology, Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums, Minnesota Historical Society, and Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.