HONOLULU -- As a sign of Hawaii’s continuing bad economy, lawmakers are advancing a bill to allow the state to sell part of its art collection.

The state has become a major art collector with more than 5 thousand artworks in its collection.

That’s because of a 1969 law that requires the state to spend 1 percent of the cost any building or remodeling project to acquire art.

Hawaii artist Satoru Abe said the state’s purchases have helped many local artists survive.

“It kept me going, “said the 83- year-old Abe.

Thirty-six hundred paintings and sculptures from the state collection are displayed in public buildings including schools, offices and the state Capitol.

The bill by state House member Karen Awana allows the State Foundation on Culture and Arts to dispose of any art it wants by public auction including on the Internet.

“At times like this, anything would really help in this tight economy, “ said Awana.

Awana said all proceeds from the art sale could be used to help the state buy more art.

But the State Foundation on Culture and Arts said it doesn’t need the bill.

The foundation said it already has the authority to sell state art but it doesn’t want to sell its art and has never has sold a single artwork.

“Times may be rough, but we don’t want to use that as a reason to auction off our heritage, the heritage of the Hawaiian people, the people here,” said Peter Rosegg, Art Foundation commissioner.

Rosegg said art sales need appraisals and can end up costing almost as much as they bring in.

Rosegg said another reason the state has been reluctant to sell any art is some of the pieces have been donated and the donors might be upset if they thought their gifts were being sold off.

Rosegg said the foundation has had to endure budget cuts with the loss of a third of its staff, but it is counting on other options such as federal funding and private donations to keep the state art program alive.