Artists, educators, arts supporters:
Pennsylvania is in a budget battle and the latest victim is the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. That's right, the agency that offers grants and advocacy for artists and cultural programming is now zeroed out in the latest proposal. Don't think this is just a PA problem. If this stands in PA, you can count on legislators in other states to do it. AND, NEA funding is involved here!
The Arts & Economic Prosperity III - PA study says that nonprofit arts and culture are a $1.99 billion industry in the Commonwealth - one that supports 61,985 full-time equivalent jobs and generates $282.98 million in local and state government revenue.
Pennsylvania's nonprofit arts and culture organizations, which themselves spend $1.03 billion each year, leverage $960.99 million in additional spending by arts and culture audiences - spending that pumps vital revenue into local restaurants, hotels, retail stores, parking garages, and other businesses.Investing in the arts yields economic benefits!
It's time to talk turkey with our elected representatives. It's time to let House and Senate Members know how important the arts and culture are to the state economy. Need numbers? Here you go.
Write, call, visit their offices. Don't wait. Please and thanks. Here's contact information for you.
Smart spending is important. But you don't cut the hands that drive a vital economic sector. You don't cut the hands that, with little down money and lots of sweat equity, turn around entire communities. You don't cut the hands that turn around the lives of many children.
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