Dog Days: March 2009 Archives

A government rewrite is underway - will the arts author their part of the story? That's the question I'm trying to answer in the affirmative.

Every level of government is being turned upside down and every idea for reform seems to be under consideration. The national government is practically printing money, states are slashing spending, and local governments are hostages of their employee pension obligations. Mid-year cuts have swept the nation like 20 year locusts leaving devastation in their wake, and a new wave is on its way as cities and states prepare their budgets for next year.

In the midst of such government financial and policy turmoil, the fantastical is possible and dreams make their way into laws - sometimes to become nightmares. The arts can benefit or suffer in this environment. It will depend on whether or not the people who create and champion the arts get into the government imagination game. That's what I aim to do with this blog and invite you to do the same.

Arts lovers of all stripes have to speak up or watch government role over their values. Just as the environmental movement has activated a broad citizen corps, the arts must do the same. And the focus has to extend beyond the interests of non-profit and for-profit entities to the very essence of creativity. The list of stakeholders to the right reveals how many voices claim to represent the arts. Some collaborate and agree, but just as commonly, they don't share the same priorities or even notice each other.

With government being remade for the 21st century, the obligation to be part of that process exists for all of us. I've learned advocacy from scratch and know everyone else can too. It simply takes practice and discipline - two key elements of successful art making. Let's share this AJ platform so we all become expert advocates working for government policy that sustains and feeds the creative life of our nation.