Carolyn Jack
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Creative Nerve
U.S. Rep. George Miller to hold spring hearings on value of arts
This just in through the e-mail: U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), who is chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, plans to hold a series of hearings to examine the impact of the arts on the economy and education and determine what can be done to strengthen support for them.
The press release follows. What are your thoughts?
EDUCATION & LABOR COMMITTEE
Congressman George Miller, Chairman
________________________________
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Press Office, 202-226-0853
Chairman Miller Announces Plans
to Examine How Arts and Music Benefits
the Economy and Education
Arts organizations generate $166 billion and over 5 million jobs each
year
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the arts and music among the many industries
being hit hard in economic downturn, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA),
chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today announced
plans to hold a series of hearings this spring to examine how the arts
benefit the nation’s economy and schools – and what can be done to
improve support for the arts and music fields.
“Like so many other sectors of our economy, the arts and music are
suffering greatly – hurting millions of workers and families who depend
on these industries for good jobs and the students who benefit from
participation in arts and music education in school.
“Research shows that when students are exposed to arts and music, they perform better in
other subjects, said Miller. “In states and communities around the
country, like my home state of California, these industries are vital
engines for local economies – making up a large share of revenue and
providing employment for a wide array of jobs, from construction to
musicians to art teachers to sound editors.
“President Obama has made it clear that arts and music have a critical
role to play in improving our schools, our workforce and our overall
quality of life. These hearings will give Congress the opportunity to
hear from experts in these fields about how supporting the arts and
music can help us build a stronger America.”
Arts organizations generate $166.2 billion in economic activity,
support 5.7 million jobs, and return nearly $30 billion in revenue to
the government each year, according to a 2007 study by The Americans for
the Arts.
Recent news reports have highlighted the tough economic realities arts
organizations are facing – many are cutting budgets and programs that
provide important services to local communities. According to the U.S.
Department of Labor, unemployment in certain arts fields was far higher
than the overall workforce in 2008.
The goal of the House Education and Labor Committee in the 111th
Congress is to rebuild and strengthen America?s middle class by
improving the lives of students, workers and families. For more
information on the committee’s work, click here:
<http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/01/making-college-more-affordable.shtml>
.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
No offense but this nonsense has been going on since the early 1970s when I was with a consulting firm that worked with NEA. The only argument that can be made that has any validity is the impact of arts on for profit and tax paying enterprises such as restaurants, etc. Bureaucratically funded arts endeavors remove dollars from the economy they do not add tax revenue directly.
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 am
[...] Here’s an update on the Congressional-level arts hearings I mentioned back in February: [...]