...and apparently their really cheesy lounge singers. (Since I minored in Russian, I feel relatively safe saying this! haha)
This is just too hilarious not to post. Our Artistic Director, Bruce Miller, had this on his Facebook page this morning, with the caption: "Perhaps this is what all those delegates who voted to eliminate the Virginia Commission for the Arts yesterday think about when they contemplate who we are and what we do."
The Russian title in the clip translates to, "I am very glad, that at long last, I am coming back home. Vocalize."
Showing posts with label arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arts. Show all posts
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
An inspiring day. Brahms would be proud.
arts peeps in the gallery of the House chamber
Quick update.
The House passed their budget, as expected. Now the bills go to conference committee where Senators and Delegates will hash out their differences and try to reach some sort of compromise.
The turnout today at the capitol was inspiring. Around 200 arts advocates lined the stairwell and lobby spaces leading to the gallery of the House chamber and dozens of us early birds were able to meet with Senators and Delegates (or their aides) in the morning. Del. Manoli Loupassi's aide told us that his office had received more phone calls from arts advocates in the last few days than from any other advocacy group so far the entire session.
We need to keep up the momentum until March 5th when the gavel drops on the final budget. In the meantime, a little levity. :)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Darkest before the Dawn?
It's been a rough day.
Demoralized. Discouraged. Disgruntled. And other "d" adjectives.
In case you haven't been following my rants on Facebook and Twitter, Virginia's arts agency, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, is slated for a 50% cut in 2011 and total elimination in 2012. The General Assembly votes tomorrow. We'd be the first state in the union to eliminate its arts agency. This is an instance when being a pioneer is not a good thing.
I am tired. Being an advocate for the arts is not easy. I've been trying my best to write rational, compelling arguments in an attempt to persuade some fence-riders to hop over to the side of the arts. Rather than feeling energized, however, I feel like I've been banging my head against a wall.
This whole situation reminds me of my stint as a community organizer about ten years ago, trying to effect affordable housing legislation for immigrants in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Even in that relatively liberal climate, we came up against obstacle after obstacle. We met with lawmakers. We rallied at the capitol. We were defeated. We started over.
It was -- and is -- exhausting.
But, even so, I feel that I can't drop this torch, because it affects me personally, both as an artist and as an employee of two amazing arts organizations. So, I will press on.
*cracks knuckles*
*inhales deeply*
"The arts" (artists, art teachers, arts organizations, etc.) are used to being the first to go when times get tough. As I read from one arts opponent, "Food, or a play? I choose food." Ok. Food. What about food for the soul? What about all the studies that show the positive impact of the arts in employee productivity, student learning rates, helping children with mental and physical disabilities, improving the quality of life of the aged, etc. etc. etc. Do die-hard opponents of the arts really not believe the results of these studies? How can people be so rigid?
I keep hearing people say things like,
"No one is immune. We all have to make sacrifices."
"Everyone wants to keep their dollar and take it away from someone else."
"We have to prioritize. Jobs are more important than arts."
"Let the private sector support the arts. I don't want my tax dollars going for arts. I pay for my entertainment. Why should arts groups get special treatment?"
To the first and second comments, I say this: Arts advocates are aware that sacrifices need to be made. But consider that the budget of the Virginia Commission for the Arts in its heyday was $6 million. In its heyday. Over the last two years VCA's budget has been decreased to around $4 million. That's a 30% cut to an already relatively small agency (with 5 employees). Yet arts organizations continue to make it work, pumping $7 into the economy for every $1 invested by the Commission. So no, the arts are not immune, and the arts have made sacrifices. Other agencies could take a lesson from how well an arts organization can stretch a dollar and still yield a 700% return on investment.
To the third comment regarding jobs, I say this: The arts employ about 20,000 people in Virginia. Those employees pay taxes, purchase goods and services and organize 1.4 million hours of volunteer time, improving the quality of life for all Virginians. I am one of those 20,000. Without VCA funding, many arts organizations will have to downsize their staffs or close their doors altogether. Where will those former employees go? Straight to the line at the unemployment office to collect a government check. Eliminating VCA eliminates jobs and places a greater strain on the economy.
To the fourth comment regarding the private sector, I say this: Arts organizations receive funding from the state because they are non-profit companies. In order to be a non-profit, an organization can't just put a show on a stage and call it a day. They have to offer additional programs and services that meet a need (or needs) in the community, otherwise they would be a for-profit company, like many of the Broadway venues in New York and various touring companies (the one that is touring Wicked to Richmond, for example). By having non-profit status and receiving funding from the state, arts organizations are able to price their productions and programs at an affordable rate in order to make culture accessible, not an exclusive activity reserved for the upper echelon of society. Some Virginians say they don't want their tax dollars to go toward funding the arts. But I think those people would be shocked to know that a measly $0.51 of their taxes goes toward VCA a year. No, that is not a typo... $0.51, which is shameful, as the national standard is $1.00 per capita. The toll on the Richmond Downtown Expressway now costs $0.70. I think $0.51 A YEAR is more than fair to support the arts, regardless if one takes advantage of it.
A coworker pointed out that the arts touch every part of our lives, whether we realize it or not -- whether we like it or not. The cars we drive, the keyboard we type on, the jeans we wear, the house we live in, the songs we hum along to, the must-see-TV we watch, the movies we enjoy..... an artist is behind every single one.
I don't know how tomorrow's vote will pan out. I'll be at the capitol in the morning with some colleagues to show support for VCA and to pray that legislators will see the light.
I'm really hoping that tomorrow, I can indeed say that today was "darkest before the dawn," and that VCA -- and the hundreds of arts organizations and thousands of employees -- will be safe... at least for awhile.
Demoralized. Discouraged. Disgruntled. And other "d" adjectives.
In case you haven't been following my rants on Facebook and Twitter, Virginia's arts agency, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, is slated for a 50% cut in 2011 and total elimination in 2012. The General Assembly votes tomorrow. We'd be the first state in the union to eliminate its arts agency. This is an instance when being a pioneer is not a good thing.
I am tired. Being an advocate for the arts is not easy. I've been trying my best to write rational, compelling arguments in an attempt to persuade some fence-riders to hop over to the side of the arts. Rather than feeling energized, however, I feel like I've been banging my head against a wall.
This whole situation reminds me of my stint as a community organizer about ten years ago, trying to effect affordable housing legislation for immigrants in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Even in that relatively liberal climate, we came up against obstacle after obstacle. We met with lawmakers. We rallied at the capitol. We were defeated. We started over.
It was -- and is -- exhausting.
But, even so, I feel that I can't drop this torch, because it affects me personally, both as an artist and as an employee of two amazing arts organizations. So, I will press on.
*cracks knuckles*
*inhales deeply*
"The arts" (artists, art teachers, arts organizations, etc.) are used to being the first to go when times get tough. As I read from one arts opponent, "Food, or a play? I choose food." Ok. Food. What about food for the soul? What about all the studies that show the positive impact of the arts in employee productivity, student learning rates, helping children with mental and physical disabilities, improving the quality of life of the aged, etc. etc. etc. Do die-hard opponents of the arts really not believe the results of these studies? How can people be so rigid?
I keep hearing people say things like,
"No one is immune. We all have to make sacrifices."
"Everyone wants to keep their dollar and take it away from someone else."
"We have to prioritize. Jobs are more important than arts."
"Let the private sector support the arts. I don't want my tax dollars going for arts. I pay for my entertainment. Why should arts groups get special treatment?"
To the first and second comments, I say this: Arts advocates are aware that sacrifices need to be made. But consider that the budget of the Virginia Commission for the Arts in its heyday was $6 million. In its heyday. Over the last two years VCA's budget has been decreased to around $4 million. That's a 30% cut to an already relatively small agency (with 5 employees). Yet arts organizations continue to make it work, pumping $7 into the economy for every $1 invested by the Commission. So no, the arts are not immune, and the arts have made sacrifices. Other agencies could take a lesson from how well an arts organization can stretch a dollar and still yield a 700% return on investment.
To the third comment regarding jobs, I say this: The arts employ about 20,000 people in Virginia. Those employees pay taxes, purchase goods and services and organize 1.4 million hours of volunteer time, improving the quality of life for all Virginians. I am one of those 20,000. Without VCA funding, many arts organizations will have to downsize their staffs or close their doors altogether. Where will those former employees go? Straight to the line at the unemployment office to collect a government check. Eliminating VCA eliminates jobs and places a greater strain on the economy.
To the fourth comment regarding the private sector, I say this: Arts organizations receive funding from the state because they are non-profit companies. In order to be a non-profit, an organization can't just put a show on a stage and call it a day. They have to offer additional programs and services that meet a need (or needs) in the community, otherwise they would be a for-profit company, like many of the Broadway venues in New York and various touring companies (the one that is touring Wicked to Richmond, for example). By having non-profit status and receiving funding from the state, arts organizations are able to price their productions and programs at an affordable rate in order to make culture accessible, not an exclusive activity reserved for the upper echelon of society. Some Virginians say they don't want their tax dollars to go toward funding the arts. But I think those people would be shocked to know that a measly $0.51 of their taxes goes toward VCA a year. No, that is not a typo... $0.51, which is shameful, as the national standard is $1.00 per capita. The toll on the Richmond Downtown Expressway now costs $0.70. I think $0.51 A YEAR is more than fair to support the arts, regardless if one takes advantage of it.
A coworker pointed out that the arts touch every part of our lives, whether we realize it or not -- whether we like it or not. The cars we drive, the keyboard we type on, the jeans we wear, the house we live in, the songs we hum along to, the must-see-TV we watch, the movies we enjoy..... an artist is behind every single one.
I don't know how tomorrow's vote will pan out. I'll be at the capitol in the morning with some colleagues to show support for VCA and to pray that legislators will see the light.
I'm really hoping that tomorrow, I can indeed say that today was "darkest before the dawn," and that VCA -- and the hundreds of arts organizations and thousands of employees -- will be safe... at least for awhile.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
In their own words
I've been ranting a lot on Facebook and Twitter about the importance of supporting the arts since the Virginia House budget appropriations committee put forth their recommendation to cut funding for the Virginia Commission for the Arts by half in 2011 and completely eliminate it in 2012. If they succeed in passing this legislation, Virginia will become the first and only state in the country to not have a state arts agency.
The quotes below are all in reference to Theatre IV's programs and perfectly illustrate why the arts are important---AND why the Virginia Commission for the Arts is worth saving. Have a read.
“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to see the performance of ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ through Tickets for Kids. For most of our students, it was the first time they had seen a theatre production. Many were excited to see children performing with adults. Thank you for your assistance in providing this enriching experience for our students.” – School Social Worker, Thirteen Acres Elementary (a school-within-a-school serving low-income K-5 students with emotional & behavioral challenges)
“I wanted to let you know how amazing, professional, and flawless the performance was. Many of the students and teachers were in tears and my students learned a great deal about the life of this important man. Bravo!” - 5th grade teacher in Prince George County, VA whose students saw “I Have A Dream: The Life and Times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
“I want to extend my appreciation for the outstanding play that Theatre IV presented. It was not only entertaining and educational but raised an awareness of a key piece of American history that is not commonly known. It is our goal to promote awareness and understanding of the value of diversity, and your presentation enabled us to further that goal.” - Director of a Federal agency in Chantilly, VA, whose employees saw a performance of “Buffalo Soldier” in observance of Black History Month
“As a recent new arrival to this country who is learning to speak English, I want to say thank you for your wonderful show you gave us today. Coming from a country that has not had true peace in so many years, and now the government forces their ideas on you. Your show meant a lot to me being a minority. The play shows people to stop and truly learn about one another. If we all work together we can do so much and be so happy. All of us have so much too offer to one another all races and people can share so much of their culture with one another. Once again, thank you for your beautiful show and all the hard work and your time.” - Hanover County, VA middle school student who saw “Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad”
“You performed 'Walking the Line' to my high school. You cannot believe how much you people touched me. When you guys talked about how teens drink to escape other problems I felt like that was my problem. I have already written a letter asking for help to an adult friend who helps kids. You guys changed my life and I owe you so much for it. I am sorry I didn't run up there at that time and thank you right there, but at that time I had a lot to soak in. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!” - Chesterfield County, VA High school student who saw "Walking the Line"
“My class included kids with some of the school's most severe discipline problems. One boy in particular had been having trouble in his classes and getting in fights. But, every day he loved to come to [After-School Arts]. He was really interested in theater and was a great contribution to our class. I even let him serve as a ‘director,’ helping out and letting me know if scenes could be heard from the back of the room. Theater was a way he could harness his energy for something positive and feel like he was smart and productive. By the end of the eight weeks he had shown great improvement.” - Theatre IV instructor of After-School Arts for 4th and 5th grade students at St. Andrew's School
“Thank you for the 'Hugs and Kisses' program. I attended the evening public performance and talk-back at my son’s school, and he saw it in school the next day. He came home asking all kinds of questions and we were able to have a very open conversation about the play and the topic. It is a valuable program and I hope it continues.” – Petersburg, VA parent of a 4th grade student who saw “Hugs and Kisses”
“As a result of your program, a previous sex offender has been found guilty of abusing two girls – our students – and is awaiting sentencing. The girls came forward after seeing ‘Hugs and Kisses,’ which helped them understand there was an adult in their life engaging in inappropriate behavior. Had it not been for your program, it’s hard to say how much longer this would have continued, or even worse. Thanks for your efforts. You are making a difference in the lives of children.” - School counselor in Waynesboro, VA about “Hugs and Kisses”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)