Arts Advocacy Update XVIII

The content below has been appropriated from Americans for the Arts' Cultural Policy Listserv, a product of its Arts Policy Information Center.

I have worked as a journalist and editor with Americans for the Arts in the past, and endorse and support their work. I am therefore pleased to appropriate this content with their permission. I do, however, urge everyone to check out their entire website and to visit it regularly as a great source of news and information for the arts community.

I also urge everyone to join the listserv so you can receive the same email blasts I do, from which the content below is being taken.


Just a few items in this week's Arts Advocacy Update, but the first one is pretty important: the date for the 21st annual Arts Advocacy Day has been announced: March 31-April 1, 2008. Um, I know, that's two days. Look, click on the link.

And now...

Arts Council Debate - People Believe in Public Arts Funding 24 Hour Museum (UK)
11/6/2007
"In October 2006, Arts Council England set out to discover how people feel about the arts in England, with a year long inquiry - The Arts Debate. Now the findings have been published and the overwhelming message is that the people of England believe the arts are a truly important part of life and should attract public funding, but resources should be directed to art that is as inclusive as possible."
And the U.S. version of the inquiry is...where? I'm thinking I should put this together...anyone want to help?


Austin unveils discount card program for filmmakers
KVUE (Austin, TX), 11/5/2007
"City leaders and the Austin Film Commission Monday unveiled a new discount card program that will be available to casts and crews filming in Austin. Austin: Now Playing discount cards will offer a discount on a number of services throughout town."
The question is, will they discount that the worst president in the history of the U.S. used to be sitting in the governor's quarters in Austin? Yeah, ok, off-topic, sorry. Interesting story, though.


Nonprofit looking to fund 'creative economy businesses'
Philadelphia Business Journal, 11/2/2007
"Innovation Philadelphia said Thursday it is launching a fund to make seed and early-stage investments in what it calls 'creative economy businesses' in the Philadelphia area. The economic- development nonprofit, which was formed and is mostly funded by the city of Philadelphia, said the Creative Economy Investment Fund will make investments ranging from $25,000 to $150,000."
My gut instinct tells me that Philadelphia -- despite what we're hearing about the crime rate -- is actually going to be the next big area of development for the creative economy. Ken and I even checked out tony Rittenhouse Square and realized...gosh, this only costs this? I mean, is the newly elected Mayor Nutter going to get the place in shape? And on a completely irreverent note, if Mayor Nutter's daughter married a guy named Butter, would her name be Nutter Butter?

Sphere: Related Content