Arts lovers can show support in many ways
From today’s Pittsburgh Tribune Review…
By Alice T. Carter
TRIBUNE-REVIEW THEATER CRITIC
Sunday, June 21, 2009
For arts lovers, these are dark times.
First, the state legislature deletes all funding for arts and culture from its 2010 budget.
Then, two weeks ago, the Allegheny Regional Asset District decides not to accept any grant requests for capital projects — renovations, construction, new equipment — and warns that there also may be less funding for operating expenses — salaries, programs, marketing, development — in the coming year.
Just when you think things couldn’t get much worse, along comes the results of a survey from the National Endowment for the Arts with discouraging news:
• In 2008, fewer adults attended an arts event than at any time in the past 26 years.
• Those who did are getting older.
The news couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Local arts-advocacy groups such at the Greater Pittsburgh Council for the Arts have been encouraging arts patrons and those who work in the arts to tell their legislators that art matters to them and that funding the arts is important.
Last Tuesday, Pittsburgh City Council issued a proclamation to be sent to Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and the members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly explaining the importance of arts and culture to the Greater Pittsburgh area.
Now, along comes the National Endowment for the Arts with evidence that interest and participation in the arts is dwindling across the board.
According to the survey, the more than 18,000 adults responded to the survey that was conducted by the NEA in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau.
According to the results:
• There are persistent patterns of decline in participation for most art forms. Although nearly 35 percent of adults attended an art museum or arts performance in 2008, that’s a steep decline from the 40 percent who did in other survey years — 1982, 1992 and 2002.
• Between 1982 and 2008 attendance at performing arts — classical music, jazz, opera, ballet, musical theater and dramatic plays — has declined in double digits.
• Performing arts audiences are increasingly older than the average U.S. adult — 45.
These next two really hurt:
• The steepest declines in audience participation was among 45- to 54-year-olds, historically the most dependable arts consumers.
• Educated Americans — another formerly dependable group — are participating less than before.
With all that accumulated information, it’s difficult to mount a compelling argument for retaining or — dare I dream — increasing funding for the arts.
So, what’s an arts lover to do?
It’s up to those of us — the few, the proud, the committed — to help save the arts on our own.
Financial support is only part of the solution. We also need to increase the number of people who get exposure to the arts.
Here’s some ways we can do both:
• One out of every three adults did attend at least one arts event during the 12-month survey period. If each of us invited someone to accompany us, that participation-rate statistic could theoretically double.
• Gift friends and family with something from the arts.
A year’s subscription to a season of theater, music or dance would make a perfect wedding present. Instead of yet another toy that will quickly end up in the discard pile, buy a family membership to a museum or tickets to an age-appropriate play.
Reward employee achievement with tickets to an arts event.
When you’re purchasing retirement or thank-you gifts for teachers — either as an individual or group — give tickets or subscriptions.
Too expensive? Make it a point to check out free arts events such as a local arts festival. Check Web sites for the increasingly abundant reduced-price offers from local theater, dance and music groups.
• Make the arts part of get-together plans with family or friends. Pair lunch with a visit to a gallery or organize a day trip to a summer theater with dinner to follow.
• Contribute cash to local organizations. How much you give is not always as important as the fact that you gave. Businesses, foundations and government organizations give serious weight to those arts groups that demonstrate wide-based community support
• Advocate for arts-based field trips when your school and/or its parent organization or your kids’ church or Scout group is considering field trips.
• Make a date with a decision maker. Invite your school principal, schoo-board member, mayor, state or federal legislator to accompany you to a performance by your favorite group. Personal enjoyment might help them better understand why the arts are important.
• Let your local legislators know you care.
An interest group that’s 35 percent of the population is a powerful force.
Passion matters. Small minorities become powerful when they are vocal.
Remind them you’re pro-art and you vote.
Alice T. Carter can be reached at acarter@tribweb.com or 412-320-7808.
