“For every dollar invested in the Massachusetts Cultural Council, [Anita] Walker said $5 goes back into the state’s general fund through tax revenue generated by tourism and in-state spending. She said the agency supports 400 nonprofit agencies, including COOL, that have a combined state budget of $4 million and support 37,000 jobs. Calling Lowell the council’s ‘poster child,’ Walker said her agency helps fund the city’s annual Folk Festival and Southeast Asian Water Festival. It also played a part in bringing Jack Kerouac’s On The Road scroll to Lowell in the summer of 2007, as well as in keeping the Revolving Museum, American Textile History Museum and Brush Art Gallery afloat, she said. Elected officials acknowledged the importance of funding arts and cultural programs during the hearing, but said the $1.5 billion deficit Massachusetts faces means very few state programs are safe from the ax.”