From our reading of this PDF posted by Talking Points Memo, the $50,000,000 for the NEA made it into the conference bill. Nothing firm yet, but we're cautiously optimistic.
However, this site, which has done some actual reporting, says no.
UPDATE: In there!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Good news from across the lake, crickets chirping on Perdido St.
In more upbeat news, see this letter from St. Tammany Parish Kevin Davis in support of arts funding in the stimulus. Here's what we found on the position of the Mayor of New Orleans on this important issue.
We've got hurt feelings, we've got hurt feelings
When the powers that be make a show of pulling $50 million out of an $800 billion (with a b) stimulus bill, and the US Senate passes an amendment specifically banning funding going to many of the groups we advocate for, it's a little hard not to feel a little insulted. On top of that, news from the great plains that South Dakota is looking to cut the entire state arts council. The NEA money in the stimulus bill would have made a major difference, as SD could have still cut the budget (not eliminate it, but cut it), and NEA stimulus funds could make up the rest. Now, without that carrot, the State could kill the whole arts council.
What opponents don't understand is that NEA funds don't go to SoHo galleries, but go to places like South Dakota so kids can have arts in the schools. For the average busy person not to know where NEA funds go is understandable. For a member of Congress not to understand it is pretty damn depressing.
What opponents don't understand is that NEA funds don't go to SoHo galleries, but go to places like South Dakota so kids can have arts in the schools. For the average busy person not to know where NEA funds go is understandable. For a member of Congress not to understand it is pretty damn depressing.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Arts Funding in the Stimulus
Copying and pasting directly from Americans from the Arts because it's important...
The Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with a vote of 61 to 37 today. As the bill heads to Congressional conference, $50 million in recovery funds to be distributed by the National Endowment for the Arts hang in the balance. Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert Lynch said:"The United States Senate missed an opportunity today to provide much needed stimulus support to the nation’s creative workforce. By not including $50 million in recovery funds to assist nonprofit arts organizations from closing or laying-off more workers, the Senate has failed to respond to the very real economic crisis facing the nonprofit arts industry .... As the bill heads to conference, Congressional leaders and the White House need to recognize that the arts are a legitimate U.S. economic industry and must keep the arts recovery funds in the final version of the legislation. These funds will allow arts organizations—large and small—to play a vital role in reviving their local economy."Arts advocates are urged to take action by contacting their member of Congress and writing to their local media. Visit the online Arts Action Center to make your voice heard. Also, advertisements from Americans for the Arts with the title "The Arts = Jobs" are running Washington's top political newspapers—Roll Call, Politico, and The Hill—this week. Click here to view the ads.
The Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with a vote of 61 to 37 today. As the bill heads to Congressional conference, $50 million in recovery funds to be distributed by the National Endowment for the Arts hang in the balance. Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert Lynch said:"The United States Senate missed an opportunity today to provide much needed stimulus support to the nation’s creative workforce. By not including $50 million in recovery funds to assist nonprofit arts organizations from closing or laying-off more workers, the Senate has failed to respond to the very real economic crisis facing the nonprofit arts industry .... As the bill heads to conference, Congressional leaders and the White House need to recognize that the arts are a legitimate U.S. economic industry and must keep the arts recovery funds in the final version of the legislation. These funds will allow arts organizations—large and small—to play a vital role in reviving their local economy."Arts advocates are urged to take action by contacting their member of Congress and writing to their local media. Visit the online Arts Action Center to make your voice heard. Also, advertisements from Americans for the Arts with the title "The Arts = Jobs" are running Washington's top political newspapers—Roll Call, Politico, and The Hill—this week. Click here to view the ads.
Doug MacCash video on Shannon Landis Hanen's Still Standing
Great video from Doug MacCassh on "Still Standing", an Art in Public Places piece from the Arts Council and the Joan Mitchell Foundation Still Standing, a public sculpture by New Orleans artist Shannon Landis Hansen |
February 10, Artist Opportunities
Here's a link to the February 10th e-bulletin. Don't forget you can sign up to receive these bulletins for free at www.artscouncilofneworleans.org
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Le Deluge
NOLA ain't NYC, and we're holding up pretty well down here right now, but here's a perspective on the financial crisis and how it could affect NYC galleries. Quick re-cap: 10% of galleries in NYC could close, and sales at Art Basel "lackluster at best.". Reason to hope: sales haven't tanked, and there's still so much money floating around NYC and the US as a whole that even if the obscenely rich turn into the super rich, well, they're still super rich.
Prospect 1 finances
A lot of questions that have been on everyone's mind answered in this Gambit Article. Hopefully, Prospect 2 does make it on the scene. I can't think of anyone who would mind paying $10 or more for a card. With 70,000 attendees, that's at least $700,000 right there. It was a great show, and we hope they can keep it coming for a long time.
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