Saipan — The House Standing Committee on Tourism has sent a formal letter to Governor David M. Apatang demanding immediate executive action to pay local artists and artisans owed more than $40,000 for completed work under National Endowment for the Arts grant programs, and to protect more than $690,000 in federal arts funds the committee says is at risk of being lost.
“The work is done. The invoices are approved. There is no lawful basis for further delay,” said Committee Chairwoman Representative Marissa Renee Flores. “These artists have waited long enough, and the clock on federal funds is running out.”
The letter, signed by Flores and committee member Representative Julie M. Ogo, follows two days of public hearings on June 9 and 10 at which the committee says testimony and documentary evidence established a pattern of administrative failures at the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture and the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.
The committee said $37,775 in FY2021 NEA grant funds sat undrawn for four years and has been permanently returned to the federal government. More than 20 artists and artisans have not been paid for completed, invoiced work, including artists owed over $30,000 for Miss Northern Marianas Descent projects.
Combined undrawn NEA balances from FY2022 through FY2025, more than $690,000, remain in jeopardy, the committee said. The FY2022 balance of $16,244 closes out on August 30, and the committee said failure to act this week means more funds are lost.
The committee also cited governance failures at CCAC: three of seven board seats vacant, no rules compliant with the Administrative Procedure Act, no adopted standard operating procedures, and only two hours of federal drawdown training, which the committee said the council’s executive director confirmed was insufficient.
The committee requested a written response from the Governor’s office by Friday, August 7, confirming the executive actions to be taken, and a status report on the FY2022 funds by August 14.
