Burlington City Arts trims staff and festivals as FY26 budget cuts reduce events funding

Doreen (executive) and Sarah (finance/operations) of Burlington City Arts briefed the Board of Finance on May 28 about an FY26 budget that reduces the organization’s general‑fund support and its full‑time equivalent staff from 19.1 FTE in FY25 to 17.1 FTE in FY26.

What the budget proposes: BCA said it eliminated a gallery‑learning position as part of a service inventory and internal reorganization, reduced scale and city funding for several events and artist regranting (a $55,000 reduction), paused the three‑day Festival of Fools, and scaled back the Highlight and City Hall Park programming. The presentation described other cost‑saving moves: reorganizing administrative tasks, holding some positions vacant, and redirecting private and foundation funds to cover specific projects such as airport exhibits and the South End community room opening in September.

Why it matters: BCA leaders told councilors the cuts reflect the end of some federal funding streams (ARPA) and broader private-sector shifts in sponsorships. They emphasized the organization will prioritize youth and teen programming and use scholarship and residency strategies to protect Burlington residents’ access to classes; the presenters said just over half of class participants are Burlington residents. The city arts director said educational classes and camps are subsidized and typically rely on philanthropic support; she said more than 55% of those costs are offset by fundraising.

Reactions and questions: Councilors pressed for data and asked whether raising user fees had reduced enrollment. BCA leaders acknowledged fee increases (guided by a user‑fee study) were too aggressive in FY25 and that registration revenue did not meet the initial FY25 target. They said registration/camp fees are being refined and additional analysis on participant residency and program subsidy is underway. BCA also said it is pursuing private fundraising to support a smaller, one‑day “Tiny Fools” event through community fundraising efforts.

Discussion vs. decision: The councilors and BCA exchanged questions and information about program mix, resident access, and the economic value of festivals; the Board of Finance did not take a formal vote on BCA funding at the meeting.