Sit down, take a deep breath and then read these statistics pertaining to arts funding in South Jersey.

A report sponsored by the South Jersey Cultural Alliance showed that North Jersey arts groups nab:

•94 percent of corporate dollars;

•90 percent of foundation funds;

•96 percent of individual contributions in the state.

Wow!

Couple this with state funding that has been lower than that prescribed by law, and it's easy to see why so many South Jersey groups plead poverty.

Funding for the arts in South Jersey will be the topic of a summit tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre, 915 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

Scheduled to participate are state lawmakers and business and arts leaders. The candidates for governor are expected to address funding issues.

To register, or for more information, call Courier-Post Special Projects Editor Laurie Stuart at (856) 486-2942, or e-mail her at lstuart@courierpostonline.com.

When it comes to raising money from private sources, South Jersey arts groups have more hurdles than their counterparts in the North. The southern part of the state lacks the huge corporations that are willing to pay big bucks for arts activities around their headquarters.

Also lacking are the foundations that issue grants to arts groups and private individuals, who, with the stroke of a pen, could fund smaller arts organizations for the better part of a year.

The lack of this private funding only feeds a vicious cycle. Due to the lack of funding, most South Jersey cultural groups do not have enough money to hire development officers: the people who write proposals and make contact with potential donors. Hence, less money is raised.

Things are looking up, however.

Secretary of State DeForest Soaries Jr. is taking a close look at how state money is awarded.

And summits similar to the one being held tomorrow are bringing arts groups together to share concerns and figure out strategies to help the region as a whole.

If you're interested in the arts, try to attend tomorrow' s get-together. More money for South Jersey's arts groups means a higher quality of life and a stronger economy.

And that's something everyone should support.