The DC City Council approved a $6.8 million increase from the originally proposed 2013 budget to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities FY 2013 budget on Tuesday. This increase brings the total budget to $14.4 million, including the proposed $2.5 million in Fine Arts Commission funds from President Obama’s budget.

“The District’s art organizations provide a critical educational service to our youth,” Jack Evans, Ward 2 Council Member said. “There is also a critical economic development aspect to this investment by the city, as the arts industry supports more than 11,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the District, and arts and culture organizations spend over$600 million annually throughout the region.”

The Creative Coalition, comprised of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, Cultural Tourism DC, CulturalDC, the DC Arts & Education Collaborative, the MidAtlantic Arts Foundation, and theatreWashington, along with other advocacy groups delivered a petition with thousands of signatures and promoted a letter writing campaign in support of the budget increase.

The increase comes at a critical time after devastating cuts over the last three years. In 2012, the budget had been cut by 70% down to $3.9 million in 2012.