Jennifer’s Bloggallery

Stimuli

This Musing is the result of some correspondence about the latest massive stimulus package being debated in Congress. I forwarded a notice that exhorted people to write to their Senator and explain why Arts funding is critical, not frivolous spending. It elicited a response to which I replied:

Jennifer wrote:

This will essentially pull the plug on many smaller orchestras and concert series, in addition to the losses in the visual arts. Please visit the link below and voice your opinion:
J

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX wrote:

Please take about 1 minute to go to this website and let your reps in congress know your response to how they voted on the new economic stimulus bill.
This is a great website. It links you immediately by zip code to your senators and representatives and keeps track of how they voted. If you aren’t already – get connected to this one. And, please, pass it on.
http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=12612041

XXXXXX reponded and worte:

Please explain your reasoning.
This takes nothing away from the “Endowment For The Arts”.
In fact the original version of the house bill included additional money for the arts. Unfortunately it was dropped as part of a compromise with the minority
party.

If the economy collapses there won’t be much of an audience to support us.

Jennifer wrote:
Dear XXXXXXX,

Arts programs are heavily dependent on donations and corporate support. Because of the money crunch, most corporate and private support has dried up. The NEA endowment isn’t enough. Symphonies are going belly up across the country, as are the performing arts centers they play in. School music programs are practically nil. Thousands of jobs are also being lost in this sector.

There was money in the original bill to address these needs.
The opposition party has (by their deeds), demonstrated that they feel our society doesn’t benefit from arts programs. They use the examples of a few visual arts exhibits that stray from their way of thinking to try and kill any government subsidization for arts education or performance.

The reality is that because of sticking their heads in the sand, our artistic culture is being determined only by market principles. It preys on those poorly educated in the arts by inundating the media with low culture that destroys, not inspires. It hurts us all. The majority of performers and artists successful enough to make a living now and in the future are only going to be people who come from wealthy families. It is practically impossible to be educated in music and the arts and also break through in the marketplace without massive financial support. Do we really want all of our artists and performers of the future to only represent the financial elite?

The economy would benefit from the education of the population in matters pertaining to the arts. It has been proven that people who are taught to appreciate higher forms of music and art have brains that function at a higher level. They become better at learning about all subjects.

We can’t take a band aid approach this time, our collective intelligence will dwindle further. With the massive turnout on election day consisting of people wanting profound change, it’s a shame Congress is wasting time arguing over small political points. They gave 350 billion dollars to the banking industry with no stings attached. What’s the big deal over 50 million dollars (that will be doled out with transparency), to help raise our country’s collective intelligence?
Jennifer