Thank you to the many people who have been blog contributors to, and readers of ArtsBlog over the years. ArtsBlog has long been a space where we uplifted stories from the field that demonstrated how the arts strengthen our communities socially, educationally, and economically; where trends and issues and controversies were called out; and advocacy tools were provided to help you make the case for more arts funding and favorable arts policies.

As part of Americans for the Arts’ recent Strategic Realignment Process, we were asked to evaluate our storytelling communications platforms and evolve the way we share content. As a result, we launched the Designing Our Destiny portal to explore new ways of telling stories and sharing information, one that is consistent with our longtime practice of, “No numbers without a story, and no stories without a number.”

As we put our energy into developing this platform and reevaluate our communications strategies, we have put ArtsBlog on hold. That is, you can read past blog posts, but we are not posting new ones. You can look to the Designing Our Destiny portal and our news items feed on the Americans for the Arts website for stories you would have seen in ArtsBlog in the past.

ArtsBlog will remain online through this year as we determine the best way to archive this valuable resource and the knowledge you’ve shared here.

As ever, we are grateful for your participation in ArtsBlog and thank you for your work in advancing the arts. It is important, and you are important for doing it.


Mr. Robert Lynch

NEA Receives $50 Million in Economic Recovery Bill

Posted by Mr. Robert Lynch, Jan 30, 2009 0 comments


Mr. Robert Lynch

Congress marked a new milestone of federal arts support by approving $50 million in recovery funds for the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the economic stimulus bill. These additional funds will allow arts organizations—large and small—to play a vital role in reviving their local economy. The arts are a prime vehicle for job creation and a valued economic distribution mechanism. The country’s more than 4,000 local and state arts agencies have nearly 50 years of proven history as good stewards of our tax dollars and can ensure speedy disbursement to local projects, along with the excellent direct distribution track record of the NEA itself.
 
We applaud the leadership of Congressional Arts Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), and Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI), as well as support received from Speaker Pelosi, in keeping the arts alive in the legislation. While the Senate opted not to include the NEA’s $50 million in its version of the bill, we hope Congress can come to a sensible consensus as the bill is prepared for its final vote. The arts are essential to the health and vitality of our communities, and it is fiscally sound policy to invest in our nation's arts infrastructure.

For more information visit, the press room at Americans for the Arts.

 

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