Here’s what I wrote to my representatives about the controversy surrounding the puny 50 million dollar budget devoted to the arts that some conservatives would like to ax.
February 12, 2011
[recipient address was inserted here]
Dear [recipient name was inserted here],
As your constituent, I hope you will vote against cuts to funding for the
National Endowment for the Arts during consideration of the FY 2011
appropriations package.
A society without the arts would be a world where true feelings are
ignored or repressed. The people need the arts in order to be whole.
The same creativity that sent the first humans to the moon serves as the
bedrock for the arts-patchwork quilts, ballads, landscape paintings and
stand-up comedy mean as much to people as solar energy.
What about film, documentaries, storytelling, music, dance? Aren’t these
endeavors part of what makes a society thrive?
My son is an artist. As a high school senior he has spent four to five
hours a day outside of his regular school day to prepare a portfolio for
a professional art program. Taking away grants and fellowships would send
a very negative message to hardworking, talented young students like my
son.
Sincerely,
Christine Swint
Balanced On the Edge 
it makes me cry to think about these cuts and the arts/music program cuts local school districts must consideras well. thank you for writing this letter.
LikeLike
People mistakenly believe that art is a luxury we can do without, like dessert. Thanks for reading, Carolee.
LikeLike