Monday, February 02, 2009
Why a Cabinet-Level Czar Wouldn't Help the Arts
WSJ.com: "As the economy struggles, one inevitably hears more and more about the very real problems facing the arts. It seems that every time one opens the paper, there's a new story about a museum having to cut its hours or a symphony canceling performances. New York's Metropolitan Opera has seen its endowment fall by a third, and at institutions from Boston to San Francisco ticket sales and donations are down. The outlook is bleak almost everywhere."
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2 comments:
I agree with what this article says, for the most part--I don't think that creating a new cabinet position would directly help the arts community as much as funding what already is in creation, the NEA, which seems to be the route that Obama is headed. Additionally, I know there is some concern by many about whether or not a cabinet Secretary of the Arts would help the arts broaden horizons in the first place. The government has virtually always been known to censor and restrict the arts--why give them more of that opportunity? I'm satisfied with the idea of funding the NEA more, and feel that is a much more worth-while position to take at this time in our country.
While I agree that the arts need help because of the economic situation, that is not the only reason we need a stronger federally initiated program supporting the arts. What is a bigger issue than the fact that arts organizations are losing money is the lack of art education in today's elementary and secondary schools. It is an important part of our culture that will slowly fade if not resupplied with fresh ideas.
So...Cabinet-level position, maybe not...government program YES!
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