Yes, We Can! Victory for the Arts in the Economic Recovery Bill

Good news to update my February 7 post on Arts in the Economic Recovery Post.  Yesterday, February 13, the U.S. House of Representatives approved their final version of the Economic Recovery bill by a vote of 246-183.  Americans for The Arts confirms that the package DOES include $50 million in direct support for arts jobs through National Endowment for the Arts grants. 

In a press release received yesterday from Americans for The Arts:

We are also happy to report that the exclusionary Coburn Amendment language banning certain arts groups from receiving any other economic recovery funds has also been successfully removed.  Tonight the Senate is scheduled to have their final vote, and President Obama plans to sign the bill on Monday - President's Day.

A United Voice
This is an important victory for all of you as arts advocates.  More than 85,000 letters were sent to Congress, thousands of calls were made, and hundreds of op-eds, letters to the editor, news stories, and blog entries were generated in print and online media about the role of the arts in the economy.  Artists, business leaders, mayors, governors, and a full range of national, state, and local arts groups all united together on this advocacy issue.  This outcome marks a stunning turnaround of events and exemplifies the power of grassroots arts advocacy. 

We would like to also thank some key leaders on Capitol Hill who really carried our voices into the conference negotiation room and throughout the halls of Congress: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Appropriations Chairman Dave Obey (D-WI), House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA), and Congressional Arts Caucus Co-Chair Louise Slaughter (D-NY).  We also want to publicly thank President Obama for taking the early lead in recognizing the role of the arts in economic development.  These leaders were able to convincingly make the case that protecting jobs in the creative sector is integral to the U.S. economy.

Webinar on Federal Funding Announced, NEA Officials to Join
There is further good news for the arts and arts education in the other sections of this $789 billion economic recovery legislation -- but we're still reading through the 1000+ pages.  Americans for the Arts will give an update on the economic stimulus package as well as other federal sources of arts funding in a webinar on Wednesday, February 18, 2:00-3:30pm EST.  The webinar presentation will include remarks by Acting National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Patrice Walker Powell and newly appointed Director of Government Affairs Anita Decker. The webinar is free to Americans for the Arts professional members.

Comments

[Mark Randall Kilburn]

I am happy to see some funding for good solid institutions that show and promote art in the community. On the other hand, I know from personal experience that Uncle Sam does not give anything away without wanting something back, and with funding comes mandates. If an artists work is diametrically opposed to the political administration, do you think that the artist has a chance at getting any of the financial benefits of these programs? I am proud of the fact that my art work is "Art without Issues" and I never do political or religous themed peices. So, I do not polarize people politically with my work, in fact I refuse to do so on purpose. I think artists that do use politics as a platform just get USED by the system.

[Mark Randall Kilburn]

I do not see this as a victory, I see it as MORE federal government in our lives. Welfare for the arts. Great.

I work my butt off to earn my own money so I do not have to go to some local, state or federal agency and break out my begging bowl. I enjoy the freedom of my own independence, earned by me with no strings attached.

[kyler]

for god's sake. we all do. it's a truly nice feeling, and maybe we could entertain the idea if we ignore the fact that we aren't living in a make-believe world in which everybody actually has equal opportunity.

the problem isn't with government, it's with corrupt government. and unfortunately, corrupt government is unavoidable if it isn't under constant inspection and undergoing constant change. wait...who's that bozo again in the white house who's, um, putting salary caps on congressman and those very corrupt CEO's that you're always going on about? who's investing in healthcare for the uninsured and stem cell research? same guy who offered to "reach out" to those who disagree with him before bleeding them into the ground...what's his name? well, whatever, regardless, government exists for a purpose.

let's not lampoon the government when they do something right. would you punish your child for trying to clean up after himself?

[Mark Randall Kilburn]

Well said but again why is the federal government even involved in all this?

What gives Uncle Sam ANY right to cap peoples salaries? whether they are corrupt or not? You see, I remember a time when the federal government was not as big and intrusive as it is today. I do agree, however that eternal vigilance is the price we pay for liberty. On the other hand, elected officials are voted in with a large measure of trust, and to violate that trust is iexcusable.

[Mark Randall Kilburn]

And, who ever sold us the lie of "Equal Opportunity" sold us WHOPPER!

Ultimatley the playing field is never level.

Again, Uncle Sam cannot legislate morality.
Laws do not make people do things, they obey them willingly...or not. There are over 20,000 laws regarding firearms in this country , but that NEVER stops a bank robber.