Would PA Go for this?

Rhode Island: Lieutenant Governor Roberts Launches Buy Local Arts Initiative

Providence Business News, 2/15/10
"Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts kicked off what she says will be a month-long effort to promote her 'buy local' arts initiative in Rhode Island on [February 15]. Roberts used an advocacy training session organized by Rhode Island Citizens for the Arts to fight proposed state budget cuts as the occasion to deliver a short pep talk to about 30 participants. Buying local, Roberts said, is a good investment in small businesses in Rhode Island. 'There are 2,000 small businesses in the arts that employ 12,000 people,' she said. She characterized the money spent by the government to support such arts entrepreneurs as local stimulus money...She cited the importance of the arts as an income generator, referring to a 2007 study, which found that arts and culture generated more than $100 million a year to the Providence economy." http://bit.ly/byevnl

This is a great idea! Anyone care to help me talk this concept up in the Commonwealth of PA?

Some of the best science originated in THE ARTS

Many of us know that artmaking is about problem-solving. We know that creativity and innovation are vital to success. Here is an interesting article that attests to this.

Art- no longer the budget whipping boy?

Read this! Please. Thanks. I'll have more to say later. Meanwhile, you are welcome to start a discussion here.

State Arts Council eradicated - ACT NOW

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.