I heard the chorus asking “are you kidding?” as well as the crew that shouted “Duh! this is a no-brainer.” Lots of drama over the $50 million for the arts that was placed in the current edition of the economic stimulus bill. Some people believe that $50 million is not enough to support the importance of art in the culture. Others respond that art has to take a back seat during a national economic meltdown.
We hear that art makes us better. We are often told that art engages you in the world. This week let’s talk about the value of art. If passed, would the stimulus bill really support art within the American society? All forms? Should we prioritize the forms of art that receive support? Who gets to create it? What is art for a society? Is art an important priority during these times? Should we leave art up to the private sphere of civil society? Artists have always asked, and still ask whether financial capital and we, in our private organization and gatherings (the society itself), can elevate art projects that are designed to elevate society? During this week’s Coffee & Conversation session, let’s discuss the value of art in our lives?
Look forward to seeing you on Friday, 3-5 p.m., in the Howard Thurman Center. I’ll bring great coffee (and tea) and cookies, you bring the conversation.
Peace.
By the way: your government gives us an initial way to stay in the loop on its economic stimulus bills and agendas through the Recovery.gov Web site – not bad Mr. President.
(Photo: Seth Gadsden’s (CFA ’07) work appeared at the BU West T-stop on the green line – Photo from BU Today.)
3 Comments
Gloribell posted on February 19, 2009 at 10:25 pm
I always thought the “art” on the West T stop was hideous.
atira posted on February 20, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I’m more concerned with the Kenmore T-Stop art. What’s with the red and white “KKK” pattern? It’s offensive.
…I like how this is becoming a discussion of T art…probably not what Dean Elmore had in mind…haha.
Leyla Kayi posted on February 20, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Hi Kenn. I like your blog. I think I miss the dialogue that comes with working in a higher ed. environment.
I am a long time supporter of the arts having sat on the board of the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts here in Grand Rapids. What people often fail to recognize when discussing the arts is the economic impact of the arts in a community. Consider, for instance, how much money comes to NYC because of the shows on Broadway, at Carnegie Hall or the Met. I know many people who travel to the city (spending money on airfare or gas or trainfare) to spend a long weekend (hotels, hotel taxes, restaurants and shoppping) and go to shows (tickets, concessions, souvenirs). This helps to employ actors, musicians, stage techs, costumers, security, caterers/food service workers, building maintenance crews, box office workers….the list goes on. These folks pay income tax, pay rent, buy groceries, clothes, etc… The arts is an industry. It’s a part of the service sector and by supporting the arts we support the economy while, at the same time, we enrich society.
That’s my two cents!