Last month, Gov. Ed Rendell released his annual budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year, which included $15.2 million in grants for the arts in Pennsylvania, an increase of $725,000 from last year's budget.

The proposed increase would support those who work in the arts and cultural community of Pennsylvania through private and nonprofit investments. The increase would also support the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, which works to foster appreciation for the arts throughout the state.

Heather Doughty, deputy director of the council, said many arts organizations receive funding from the state, but the governor's proposal is only the beginning of the budget process for the 2006-07 fiscal year.

"All this will be worked out over the next months. We can make no predictions on allocations until the final budget is determined," she said.

The state Legislature has responded to the governor's budget proposal with its own funding proposal, but the second proposal allots only $14.5 million in state arts funding.

Jenny Hershour, managing director of the Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, a statewide nonprofit arts advocacy organization, said she thinks the budget season will be long this year, especially with other funding proposals cropping up.

"It's something we go through every year," Hershour said. "In Pennsylvania, it has to be a balanced budget, so if you increase money from one area, you're taking it away from another."

Hershour said that because it will still be awhile before the Legislature approves the budget, the different funding proposals create a chance to consider where that money is going, if nothing else.

"It's an opportunity to start a dialogue on the budget process," she said. "Pennsylvania is very lucky; we have a governor with a rich administration that has a strong support of the arts, as well as a general assembly that is supportive of the arts."

When the budget -- with or without the increases for arts funding -- is approved, arts organizations can apply through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts for grants.

Many artists and art organizations in State College receive funding through these grants.

One hopeful artist is Lonnie Graham. Graham is a photographer and professor of fine arts at Penn State and said there is no mystery behind the benefits of funding.

"Artists in a community become an economic engine," he said. "Gentrification happens based on the artists occupying areas. It helps to stabilize communities."

Graham also said the proposed increase would allow growth of the arts and arts education to continue benefiting society.

"Without state support, it's easy for artists to get lost," he said. "With these monies, artists can continue to serve communities."

The artists spend the money by redistributing it through the community, Graham said, and eventually that money circulates back to where it came from, improving the entire infrastructure, not just helping the original benefactor -- the artist.

Another State College organization that receives state funding is Galaxy, The Arts in Education Program, which is a part of Central Intermediate Unit 10.

Director Jennene Lundy said she hopes the increase is approved.

"Any increase will certainly assist Galaxy in carrying out its mission," she said. "Every dollar counts."