T
he phrase "there are more things in heaven and earth" echoes through the halls of Aspen's real estate transfer tax, a fund meant to nurture the arts. Conceived in 1979 with a dual purpose - half for making art, half for supporting it - this public vote has been hijacked by administrative costs, leaving a paltry sum for actual creativity.

    The numbers tell a tale of neglect: $8 million collected in 2024, with only $60,000 allocated to non-corporate arts groups. In contrast, the original intention was to allocate funds equally between making art and supporting it. The disparity is staggering - from $100,000 in 1979 to $8 million in 2021, with a mere $60,000 going towards possible artistic endeavors.

    As Aspen's residents prepare to vote on March 4, one question looms large: who will ensure that the RETT funds are distributed according to the law? The city council must be held accountable for following the public's will. A genuine arts council, comprising working artists and creative business people from the valley, is long overdue.

    In 2021, a mere 1% of $11.5 million was allocated to the "arts" in Aspen. This is not what the voters intended. The city official's claim that even one dollar spent on art would suffice is laughable - especially when considering the three items listed in the arts referendum, which amounts to a paltry 33 cents per category.

    The Red Brick Center, once a beacon for artistic expression, has become a symbol of administrative excess. Artists pay rent, but receive no funds. Longtime residents lament the decline of Aspen's spirit, and it's no wonder - creative people who once infused the community with life are now reticent to appear due to lack of respect.

    The Wheeler/Arts fund sits at $54 million, a staggering sum that could be placed in an arts endowment overseen by a genuine arts council. It's time for the city council to follow the will of the voters and restore Aspen's artistic vitality. Let's elect officials who prioritize creativity over bureaucracy, and ensure that the lawful amount of RETT funds is distributed to those who make art - writers, filmmakers, painters, artists, photographers, dancers, directors, sculptors, and more.

    As a co-founder of the Sarah Pletts Dance Theatre, I implore readers to write letters, ask questions, and demand accountability. Let's reclaim Aspen's spirit and ensure that our city council represents the will of the people.