Text of the Fresno Bee lead article 12/19/06
Worthy Investment
State ranks last in per capita spending on supporting the arts.
“I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study
mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval
architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give
their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture,
statuary, tapestry and porcelain.”
-John Adams
Second U.S. President
The arts were part of our Founding Fathers’ fondest dream for us. And,
indeed, because of their sacrifices, we have opportunities to be
enriched in ways they themselves probably never imagined. Movies worth
millions can be enjoyed for a few dollars in our own living rooms;
spectacular museums and galleries make it possible for us to see and
touch, to explore and create in our cities. Yet, just as in our
forefathers’ time, nothing this important comes without sacrifice. We
must be willing to pay for the privilege or we will lose it.
California, with its reputation as a haven for the bold and the
creative, is actually living a lie. In all the nation, our state spends
the least public money per capita on the arts – just 3 cents a person
compared with more than $2.30 a person for the state of New York,
experts say.
As the governor’s budget is drafted, funding for the
California Council for the Arts is threatened. That, in turn, threatens
the very existence of local groups such as the Fresno Arts Council,
Arte Americas and many others.
Alma Robinson, a lawyer and executive
director of California Lawyers for the Arts, came to Fresno this week
to warn us that we must not allow this great resource to be drained.
Young artists are leaving the state. Losing our creative edge would
have monumental consequences for our region. Setting aside the role of
the arts in inspiring people, of giving them something to live for, the
arts are a driving economic force.
Studies have shown that educated,
talented and creative people want to live in communities with cultural
vitality. The health of our arts community directly affects our ability
to recruit talent to our businesses. The benefits of the arts go beyond
the intellectual to public safety. Arts programs have been shown to
prevent juvenile delinquency, even decrease recidivism in our jails.
It
is imperative that the California Legislature keep in mind that the
arts, like everything else, require infusions of financial support to
thrive. Their great contribution to our well-being must be fairly
weighed as the annual budget is drafted.
© 2007 California Lawyers for the Arts, all rights reserved.