I think some in our arts world may underestimate the importance of the NEA's 50 million dollar budget increase.
Yes, it's a relatively small amount of money . . . but I think it was a significant victory for the arts as a political community.
Look back at the situation, a legislator added the 50 million and it was promptly cut.
In previous years that would have been the end of it. Maybe a politician would have put up some mild resistance to the cut, but it probably would have not led to much.
But this time, something pretty cool happened.
Advocacy kicked in.
The Americans for the Arts got people involved. On a local level groups like the Illinois Arts Alliance made sure people understood what was happening.
It's the sort of people powered, technology aided, action that wouldn't have really been possible just a few years back.
And it's pretty clear those actions had a measurable impact on the ultimate outcome.
For the arts to be fully integrated in American life, it has to win things like the NEA battle.
So when Pres. Obama signs the stimulus bill into law today, consider it a hard fought victory.
I don't know. Why wasn't the advocacy there the whole time? Americans for the Arts seems pretty inept: on policy, on advocacy, even in the commercials. (Seriously, Raisin Brahms?)
Maybe they're spending time building infrastructure behind the scenes?
Might just be me, but I don't see it as much of a victory as a reminder of the failures of artists and arts orgs to use their voices on a consistent basis.
Posted by: Tony | February 17, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Agreed, Raisin Brahms is pretty damn bad.
Maybe your point is a more accurate one, the NEA bill shows what happens when the arts uses their voice on a regular basis. Things like Americans for the Arts are just vehicles for that voice.
Ultimately the battle was won because artists spoke up.
Posted by: Adam Thurman | February 17, 2009 at 02:21 PM