HONOLULU -- Arts organizations pleaded for budget mercy Monday at Honolulu Hale.

The City Council is considering cutting in half the $345,000 Culture and Arts Program budget.

The cuts could have an effect on the Hawaii Theater and the Honolulu Symphony, which each received $75,000 grants from the city in the last year.

The group that founded and coordinates "First Friday" events in Chinatown could also affected.

The Hawaii Arts Alliance helps fund the Arts at Marks Garage, which received $20,000 from the city.

"We've seen First Friday grow from attracting a couple of hundred people to attracting several thousand every month and it's become, like it or not, a major cultural attraction," said Rich Richardson of The Arts at Mark's Garage.

"It's a very small amount of money that does a great deal of good for every level," said Marilyn Cristofori of the Hawaii Arts Alliance.

Arts advocates said their events generate lots of cash for nearby restaurants, shops and parking structures.

The council has to finalize the city budget by the end of June.

The city faces a $50 million deficit ending on July 1 fiscal year and $177 million next year, city officials have said.