We at NiteLifeExchange.com are extremely concerned about the future of the arts and arts funding in the US. The upcoming election in 2020 is crucial to this issue, particularly the stance of the person who might occupy the Oval Office.
Consequently, we’re taking a proactive stance by asking each candidate for the Presidency to share with us a position paper on arts importance and arts funding. A special blog, by Kevin Kennison, will monitor the process and report on progress. The blog will have its own dedicated page, with images of the candidates and links to their responses. We’re excited to share this initiative with you!
Here’s a bio of Kevin and below that, a copy of the letter sent to each of the Presidential candidates.
Kevin Kennison is a director, producer, independent casting director, experienced acting teacher and audition coach, car
eer consultant and arts advocate. In the business for over 25 years, he has a unique perspective on both sides of the industry, as a supportive teacher who has taught at several universities and acting studios and also a professional coach and director of drama, musicals and cabaret, who has experience in many aspects of the entertainment industry. He has cast for Broadway, Off-Broadway, National tours and regionally, as well as for film and television in New York and Los Angeles.
Active in the political climate, admitted news junkie and full-time advocate for the arts, Kevin volunteered for the Kerry campaign in Iowa, where he was deputized to gather votes from those who could not go to the polls, as well as worked on the Clinton campaign in Florida, in the past election cycle. Frequent rally attendee. Join me there! For more information about Kevin go to www.k2casting.com
Here’s the letter:
“As an involved and deeply concerned citizen and as the publisher of the successful online arts magazine, NiteLifeExchange.com, I applaud your decision to run for the office of President of the United States. In my view, it’s a positive sign that we have so many extraordinary candidates throwing their hats into the ring.
At the same time, as part of the New York City theatre, music and cabaret community, a major center of our national culture, I am gravely concerned about funding for the arts. I have observed, first hand, the many mounting challenges our community has experienced, mainly economic threats to livelihoods and to sustained viability—a nationwide problem, in fact, for all the arts.
With diminished economic and purposeful support, continued government cuts for the arts will escalate these hardships and inhibit a major source of creativity and cultural flow.
It’s been repeatedly proven that every dollar invested in the arts gives back economically. A recent study by the National Endowment for the Arts revealed that the arts contribute $763.6 billion to the U.S. economy, more than agriculture, transportation or warehousing. The arts employ 4.9 million workers across the country, with earnings of more than $370 billion. The arts also exported $20 billion more than imported, providing a positive trade balance.
Studies show that arts in schools help children achieve and excel academically and socially. A report just released by the Brookings Institute states: “We find that a substantial increase in arts educational experiences has remarkable impacts on students’ academic, social and emotional outcomes. Because schools play a pivotal role in cultivating the next generation of citizens and leaders, it is imperative that we reflect on the fundamental purpose of a well-rounded education. This mission is critical in a time of heightened intolerance and pressing threats to our core democratic values.”
We feel it is critical to support and preserve the arts, without reservation. The arts are a strategic national resource, essential to the fabric of who we are as a nation.
In order to serve my community and readership, we at NiteLifeExchange are requesting position papers from all candidates regarding where they stand and what they see as the future of funding for the arts.
We will then disseminate the individual responses on NiteLifeExchange.com for our viewing audience and beyond, as a resource guide to all concerned citizens.
We welcome the great national debate, discussion and dialogue among candidates running in the 2020 Presidential election.
With our gratitude for your service to our country, we look forward to your reply.
Scott Barbarino
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
NiteLifeExchange.com
PtownNiteLife.com
We await their responses now.
Join the discussion on Facebook @SupportArts2020
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