The Denver Post: "Everywhere you look, public funding for the arts is in danger, from federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts to state governments to cash-strapped school districts slashing pay for arts teachers. But the current peril of public arts funding is no longer just a regrettable casualty of having to balance tight budgets. It's erupted into a fundamental ideological fissure in America. Sarah Palin flatly states governments should not be in the business of funding the arts, period. Americans for the Arts counters that the nonprofit arts sector generates nearly $30 billion in annual tax revenue.
Monday, April 11, 2011
In Colorado, an unexpected arts building boom
The Denver Post: "Everywhere you look, public funding for the arts is in danger, from federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts to state governments to cash-strapped school districts slashing pay for arts teachers. But the current peril of public arts funding is no longer just a regrettable casualty of having to balance tight budgets. It's erupted into a fundamental ideological fissure in America. Sarah Palin flatly states governments should not be in the business of funding the arts, period. Americans for the Arts counters that the nonprofit arts sector generates nearly $30 billion in annual tax revenue.
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3 comments:
SO there are two articles here that go together. It would appear the Colorado is getting a lot of funding for the arts AND at the same time they are shutting down an historic theatre for lack of funding. This is indicative of the mismanagement of the system. It may also be that money is available and everyone wants the latest and greatest and The Victorian Playhouse is at the end of it's popularity. I am most please that the good people of Colorado are not just using the funds to build more stadiums.
We'll ignore the fact that the Lone Tree Arts Center is under 5 minutes driving from my old house... grumble...
There certainly seems to be a trend of "out with the old, in with the new" around this area. It's interesting that the biggest new theatres are going to be presenting houses though, rather than starting a local theatre company. To a point, it's incredibly brilliant to bring these shows around the area and right into the heart of half a million people who have trouble getting downtown and farther for theatre. I'd be very intrigued to see how these transplant productions do compared to the anticipated concerts and films also slated for these theatres.
The Arvada Festival Playhouse is not being shut down, the owner is selling with the intent to keep it a theatre. Though I agree there is some mismanagement involved. I have not idea how the Colorado theatre scene is booming. The reason I left Colorado is because there wasn't much theatre going on. I guess the old cow town is becoming more sophisticated and art conscious. I say good for them and I'll come home soon! It will be interesting to watch and see if these theaters and venues survive.
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