Arts Funding Got Saved In The Stimulus

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Arts Funding Got Saved In The Stimulus
By: Votus Friday February 13, 2009 2:24 pm	Tweet

A bit of good news from the stimulus bill. I just heard from Americans for the Arts that the final House version of the Economic Recovery bill includes $50 million to go to National Endowment for the Arts grants, in direct support for arts jobs. The money had been cut from the Senate version. In addition, the Senate version contained the Coburn Amendment that would have kept certain arts groups–including non-profit theatre–from receiving other recovery funds has been removed from the House version that just passed. This is a very big deal for every community that has small non-profit theatres and performance groups that rely on those grants to bring creative entertainment and culture to towns all over the country. People in theatre, music and dance estimate that for every dollar spent on a ticket to one of these events, it brings in four more dollars to the community in terms of parking, restaurant and hotel revenues. So, if you look at it this way, that $50 million could easily bring a stimulus of $200 million to local economies, all brought to you by the arts. Here is a link to the full article: http://www.americansforthearts.org/news/afta_news/default.asp#item8

14 Comments Recommend

14 Responses to Arts Funding Got Saved In The Stimulus

Millineryman February 13th, 2009 at 4:24 pm «

Great news!!!! Not to mention the budgets that theaters use for their productions. Thanks!

Votus February 13th, 2009 at 5:47 pm «

I thought so, too. Now hopefully the Senate leaves it alone and doesn’t strip it out again.

Eureka Springs February 13th, 2009 at 5:10 pm «

Yay!

Votus February 13th, 2009 at 5:46 pm «

I’m pretty excited about it too. I know several folks in the theatre community whose non-profit theatres rely on grants for funding all the preproduction costs of shows, paying salaries of actors and crew, as well as for advertising the shows to make back their expenses, so this is a good boost for them.

Votus February 13th, 2009 at 5:49 pm «

This is my first Oxdown, and I had trouble adding the link. Does anyone have any guidance on how you add a link to a post? I am a dork when it comes to this stuff, but willing to learn! Also, how exactly do you add a link to a comment?
anniesgirl February 13th, 2009 at 6:38 pm «

That is such good news! I am thrilled for our artists. If only we could compete with Vienna…
Votus February 13th, 2009 at 10:56 pm «

Let’s see if this works:
newtonusr February 13th, 2009 at 11:02 pm «

Obey made a very nice play for arts funding this morning in his debate-closing speech.
Somewhere in there I think.

Votus February 13th, 2009 at 11:30 pm «

Wow–excellent link, thank you for sharing it. Obey was a firebrand supporting the arts!

newtonusr February 13th, 2009 at 11:43 pm «

He’s a tad soft at times, but kicked Gooper Ass this morning.

Votus February 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am «

Okay, I got link help, but it’s too late to edit this post, so I will try again at another time!
Votus February 14th, 2009 at 12:01 am «

Here is a link to the full article.
Votus February 14th, 2009 at 12:02 am «

I got link help–thanks!
TomThumb February 14th, 2009 at 4:09 am «

We can choose to support the arts or not. But the arts will always be on our side, showing us what we may or may not want to see; telling us what we may or may not want to hear.

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