tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post7554972532571574452..comments2021-12-02T11:45:25.529-05:00Comments on Arts Issues by Alex Aldrich: An Open Letter to Kansas Governor Sam BrownbackAlex Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674640206677556835noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-44716312125981895332011-06-09T12:10:21.786-04:002011-06-09T12:10:21.786-04:00To Anonymous (6/8) and (6/1):
I don't disagre...To Anonymous (6/8) and (6/1):<br /><br />I don't disagree with you that we should all be relying on private funding. In fact, with the exception of state arts agencies which, by definition, are funded exclusively with public funds federal and state), that's how most cultural activities and organizations are supported.<br /><br />What we are talking about is a return on the investment made only by state and local governments. That return is in the form of tax revenue which does not nor will not ever accrue to private investors. <br /><br />The value of public investment in the arts is rarely specific works of art created by specific artists. Instead it is found in students who are more engaged in school because of healthy public arts education programs; more liveable communities that pay attention to the design of public places and whose cultural institutions are well-supported; and greater understanding of world cultures that is intrinsic to cultural exchanges and cultural diplomacy.<br /><br />Removing state policy makers from a place at this robust table is less about the $ value of the harm it will do to the arts sector and more about the long-term negative impacts on schools, communities, and public policy discussions.<br /><br />Here in Vermont, the discussion is less about how the arts are supported by the community than about how communities are, instead, supported by the arts. To us it's not a "political" issue. It's a quality of life issue that all parties can and should support.<br /><br />--Alex AldrichAlex Aldrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11674640206677556835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-64037130813914659072011-06-08T14:09:32.367-04:002011-06-08T14:09:32.367-04:00"Relying on private funding is foolish."..."Relying on private funding is foolish." How? The state arts agency already relies on the private sector for 80% of its funding. And to suggest that private companies are reluctant to invest "no matter what the return," is, without more, counter-intuitive. Private companies will almost always invest if there is a practically guaranteed return to them. Relying on the public to support the arts through increased taxes would be nice (perhaps might even get everyone engaged in the arts), but it seems to me that if the same effect can be achieved without taxing the public so much, that approach should be embraced.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-34564388935985723792011-06-02T17:44:37.935-04:002011-06-02T17:44:37.935-04:00Relying on private funding is foolish. No matter w...Relying on private funding is foolish. No matter what the return, private companies and wealthy people are still hesitant to fund the arts.<br /><br />In Nebraska, the names Lied, Sump, and Kiewett are plastered absolutely everywhere, including the Lied performing arts center in Lincoln and the Sump-Terscher Amphitheater in Papillion. These families have donated so much to our cities and state, but they can't be expected to fund every theatrical endeavor. It will stop somewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-55963108166869779622011-06-02T15:36:37.915-04:002011-06-02T15:36:37.915-04:00I am saddened by the news that we lost our Art Fun...I am saddened by the news that we lost our Art Funding. Well written, Mr Aldrich. Thank you for your information and time.<br /><br />...a Lawrence Kansas artist & citizen...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-41058105494001257162011-06-02T13:01:36.736-04:002011-06-02T13:01:36.736-04:00Dear Mr Aldrich,
I am a native Kansan, still livi...Dear Mr Aldrich,<br /><br />I am a native Kansan, still living in KC, but HAPPILY on the Missouri side now, and happen to be an opera singer working around the globe. I have read of these developments and find the words "repulsed", "saddened" and "sickened" to be entirely too mild for how I feel about this ignorant act. I thank you for writing your coherent, informative letter, but fear that it will fall on deaf ears. My heart is bleeding for my home state, and can only hope that logic and integrity will prevail. <br /><br />Sincerely, <br />Joyce DiDonato, who is sadly thinking of returning the key to her hometown of Prairie Village, KS.Joyce DiDonatohttp://www.joycedidonato.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-71765013556812186252011-06-01T10:43:25.543-04:002011-06-01T10:43:25.543-04:00My friends (on both sides of the political spectru...My friends (on both sides of the political spectrum) and I are upset about our governor's rigid views. It is clear that he doesn't listen to anyone but his religious leaders and his corporate allies. Thank you so much for weighing in!<br />Roeland Park, KSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-31990020154063963382011-06-01T06:24:52.940-04:002011-06-01T06:24:52.940-04:00With a 775% ROI, would it be possible to get the p...With a 775% ROI, would it be possible to get the private sector to invest and cover the $500,000? Seems like it might be fairly easy since the private investors could be payed back quickly and handsomely on a practially guaranteed basis. This would continue to give VT the opportunity to provide the professional development services, educational outreach, and other grants, etc. that support the creative sector in VT. Additionally, might this ROI and the ability to pay investors pack remove the concern that the state arts would have to compete with the cultural institutions they hope to support? I would think that these institutions could both invest with the state arts agency and continue to contribute to the arts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-28468326495849921682011-05-26T19:06:18.804-04:002011-05-26T19:06:18.804-04:00As a former Vermonter and a current Kansas residen...As a former Vermonter and a current Kansas resident, and as an artist, I want to thank you for your clear and cogent letter. I'm proud of Vermont. I'd like to be proud of Kansas.Priscilla Howehttp://priscillahowe.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-78058918331266404962011-05-26T15:05:52.188-04:002011-05-26T15:05:52.188-04:00to paraphrase Danette Baker: Thank you, thank you...to paraphrase Danette Baker: Thank you, thank you, thank you.<br />Don Loncasty<br />Leawood Kansasdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17156337368419124206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-11544910859000826392011-05-26T14:10:02.896-04:002011-05-26T14:10:02.896-04:00Here's hoping someone is listening out there w...Here's hoping someone is listening out there who can make a difference. Brownback probably isn't that someone, but only time will tell. Thank you for setting the record straight on this issue.Elsie Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02483900281601239131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-30809318729264159942011-05-26T13:17:43.951-04:002011-05-26T13:17:43.951-04:00Well done, Alex. We can't let misinformation ...Well done, Alex. We can't let misinformation go uncorrected.Ken Maynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-37954272732309291602011-05-26T11:42:02.922-04:002011-05-26T11:42:02.922-04:00Nicely written but I suspect it will fall on deaf ...Nicely written but I suspect it will fall on deaf ears. BB's caught up in his own little world where the only things that matter are religion (his brand) and corporate sponsors.Tom Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13351116214626024883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-8778737999844464862011-05-26T10:49:09.296-04:002011-05-26T10:49:09.296-04:00Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sincerely,
Danet...Thank you, thank you, thank you.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Danette Baker<br />Kansas Citizen and ArtistAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381800234354913101.post-86453188407058328182011-05-26T09:54:54.220-04:002011-05-26T09:54:54.220-04:00Thank you for your comments. As a native Kansan, I...Thank you for your comments. As a native Kansan, I am embarassed by our governor's lack of understanding of the important role the arts play in the lives of our citizens. Let us hope that he will realize that the humanities are what make us human.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com