Monday, April 11, 2011
Kevin Spacey calls for arts funding in Congress
Seattle Times Newspaper: "Kevin Spacey performed some impromptu 'street theater' Tuesday to ask Congress for continued funding of the National Endowment for the Arts amid calls for deep budget cuts. Spacey was supposed to testify in the House during a hearing that was canceled at the last minute for budget negotiations to avoid a government shutdown. Instead, he performed a version of his testimony for arts supporters
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9 comments:
The arts are about to get a major blow. It is inevitable in many places when we are on the brink of any type of economic crisis that the arts will be affected by this. the best way to defend our arts from being wiped away by things is by letting our government know both how important arts and education are and by letting them know how lucrative and beneficial to regions they can be. by constantly reminding them of that , we have a chance of saving much of the funding which would be cut otherwise. what spacey and many well known artists are doing is exactly the types of actions we should be taking to save our arts in these tough times
In PTM the other day, David Boevers touched on a recent development in Pittsburgh politics, in which tax cuts were given to films looking to work here at the cost of cutting millions in funding to public education. I feel like this holds a similar weight. While government officials are trying to do what is logically best for the country's financial situation, cutting arts programs is a step in the wrong direction. I can see why a politician would view a $128 million budget for an arts organization as frivolous, but how are any of the other projects that politicians are working on any less frivolous? Art is a necessity in different, though equally important, ways than tax cuts and medicare and needs to be viewed with more seriousness than it currently is. This whole thing is just tragic.
First of all i think it is very cool that street theater was used in this way, however it is scary that this was necessary. It seem that this problem is an issue of priorities. it is not an appealing instead to live in a society which does not value the arts, but at this point in the face of this recession, is it unavoidable? if the arts are truly important then it is absolutely avoidable, but the question is one we should ask ourselves.
So you're saying if we buy ONE LESS fighter jet we could fully fund the arts???
I've seen excerpts of Spacey talking to everyone from John Stewart to Anderson Cooper and the man is not only a charismatic speaker but an intelligent and well-spoken one as well. His points are concise and accurate; and I feel he's been exceptional at not blasting one side or the other for wanting cuts or pushing for them but staying very focused on keeping funding for what people throughout history have held to be the utmost importance.
I understand that the government is looking for ways to cut down on spending, but I agree with everyone that this is not the way to go. While government officials may not understand why theatre and the arts is beneficial for the community, but the arts is one aspects that makes a community strong. The government doesn't understand the impact the arts can have on an community and on people instead they want to spend the money on an fighter jet..
I'm going to make myself vulnerable here and ask an open question to the news from the real world community. Should the government be responsible for funding the arts? Is this is a constitutional dictate, just a good idea, or is it the innate responsibility of government to ensure the artistic development of its citizens. I know arts are important and essential, that is not the question I am asking. I would just like an intellectual response to when did government become the primary arts patron and why?
Dale brings up a very good point. It is odd that the govt is the biggest patron for arts, but the thing is it is necessary. Funding the arts is a great way to strengthen the community and is a great way to influence young members in the community. I know for me, the arts funding at my high school was the only thing that got me through high school.
I get it that the government is trying to cut down on spending, but this is not the way to do. Arts are really important. Especially to the development of children. It can give them social skills and confidence that you can't find in other types of school programs. The government may not realize the impact theater has on a community but I know for me if I hadn't had that theater in high school and middle school I would never have met so many people, made so many friends, or have the confidence and life skills that I have to day . And it's all from this budget that Sarah Palin thinks is so 'frivolous'.
Although it is sad that this is happening, I cannot help but wonder if it really is the government's responsibility to fund the arts. I think that it is a bad idea to completely cut funds for the arts, but I can support Obama's suggestion of cutting $22 million instead of the $40 million suggestion. I believe that while the government should give some funding, the government is being forced to make cuts everywhere, and considering there is already a threat to the American soldiers and with the pay freeze, perhaps is really is necessary to have the arts funding decreased. Everyone is making sacrifices. The arts will continue, even if having to struggle with less funding.
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