Lately I’m obsessed with the idea that we could do something similar for arts advocacy. For every person who works in the arts, there is a parent who is proud of them (and sometimes, surprised they made such a successful career out of it). If we can get our parents and grandparents to write/call their representatives, we could double or triple our efforts and have a greater impact nationally.

Plus, good parents want security and stability for their children. De-funding of state arts agencies and a decrease in NEA funding will affect everyone. Arts workers go where the market supports them, which means that arts advocates need help in suburban and rural areas … help we could get by lobbying our parents. 

The conversation I imagine is something like this:

Mom: How was your week, dear?

You: I’ve been worrying a lot about state and national cuts to arts funding. The House approved draconian cuts last week with a close vote of 217-209. This will affect people I work with and care about.

Mom: That’s too bad.

You: Right! Even more I think about the opportunities I had when I was growing up, music education in Iowa and school trips to see free theater in Minneapolis. Kids in California don’t have the same resources, arts spending per capita is the lowest in the country.  And in Kansas where you live, the governor is proposing to privatize the Kansas Arts Commission, eliminating it as a state agency. This could jeopardize funding from national and regional partners.

Mom: Funding is getting cut everywhere, it’s the same where I work.

You: Yes, but the amount of money for the NEA is so small in the context of the larger budget. And it is a critical resource to leverage other funding, particularly for the small community-based organizations I care about most.

Mom: You sound upset. Can I send you some cookies?

You: No, but you could email your senator and state officials and tell them you oppose cuts to arts funding. Americans for the Arts has a great website that does most of the work for you. It would take about 15 minutes. Will you do it?

Mom: I’m looking at the website now, it’s a little hard to navigate.

You: I can send you the email then. I’ll also send phone numbers in case you’d rather call.

Mom: Well … okay.

You: Thanks mom. You’re the best evs. See you soon.

]]> http://www.lexleifheit.com/2011/02/24/schlep-for-the-arts/feed/ 0 http://www.lexleifheit.com/2009/03/23/mission-locl/ http://www.lexleifheit.com/2009/03/23/mission-locl/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:41:22 +0000 Lex http://www.lexleifheit.com/?p=331 For a few weeks, it seemed that everywhere I went, there was Mission Loc@l. Which is exciting, really, because Mission Loc@l is a news website, and that meant they were covering arts events. So, hooray!

One of those nights resulted in a video about Paul S. Flores‘s play You’re Gonna Cry. A night of outstanding talent, theater and poetry I will not soon forget, hosted by the Red Poppy Art House (sidenote–Dan and I are in the video, talking with Flores, blink and you’ll miss us). Youth Speaks performed. There was an intense post-show discussion about gentrification and prejudice. It was a memorable night in which, despite the crowded-to-overflowing room, art provided a space to seek common ground.

I was reminded of this experience because now Mission Loc@l is not only everywhere in the Mission, they are on Facebook. I received an email from a friend, inviting me to become a fan, and saw yet another great arts video about the printmaking workshop at Mission Cultural Center.

Mission Loc@l is taking a reader’s poll about what kind of coverage people would like to see. The arts are not included. But I encourage you to check out their site, and if you think that their thoughtful arts coverage (which also touches on gentrification, social justice, local history and community development) is of value, write to staff@missionlocal.org and cast your vote.

Arts advocates are stepping up to claim their piece of the platform, and actually getting noticed! On blogs, anyway:

• Via Unbeige: Sarah Palin’s Museum Problem
• Via Dan McKinley’s tumblelog: Museum Lovers Vote (with a special shout-out to those in Connecticut)
• Via Jerome Weeks on Art&Seek: McCain vs. Obama on the Arts and Arts Education

Locally, arts and policy combine for a healthy dose of satire at Raw Nerve! The Political Art of Steve Brodner , on display at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA through October 26.

Salvage Vanguard Theater’s Dionysium, in Austin, provides a “unique, innovative program of debate, lecture, declamation, theatrical presentation and music in a salon-like atmosphere.” Audiences enjoy wine (or beer, or cocktails) and intellectual discourse in the spirit of the original Athenians.

In 2005, Jason Neulander, SVT’s director, argued the “pro” side of Why Government Should Support the Arts:

“When I use the term ‘arts,’ I am referring to an essential service—something that binds communities together, like roads and running water.”—Jason Neulander

Three years later it is just as relevant and riveting, and worth a listen.

Coming up soon: The Dionysium Hip-Hop Bonanza