Yesterday I was struck by an article in the New York Times about funding cuts for the art
Funding is being cut everywhere, and I’m glad I don’t have the job of deciding what to keep and what to toss. It always makes me sad, though, to hear of arts funding cuts
Yes, the economy is in turmoil, and making art doesn’t feed people’s bodies. It does, however, feed their soul and give them strength to carry on and work toward solving their problems.
Arts grants also help employ people, yet politicians can’t cut incentives for private jet owners. Whether it’s theatre, sculpture or a traveling miniature model exhibit, art helps everyone get out of his or her heads for a moment and take a breath. If it’s good, it takes their breath away, or gives them a laugh, or something to vent anger upon. All of those are healthy in their own way.
As someone who spent a good chunk of my childhood in Kansas, I was saddened to hear that Governor Sam Brownback decimated the state’s arts funding.
Kansans are smart, however, and immediately private non-profits began fundraising.
Can we always expect the government to fund the arts? I wish we could. In the meantime, however, it’s vital that arts foundations do as much fundraising outreach as possible to fill the gap.
