Arts & Culture under fire again!

Pennsylvania's FY2010 state budget is only three months old. However, on the normal budget calendar, this is considered to be halfway through the year. According to Governor Rendell, revenues are far less than projected. In December, he announced the budget would be "frozen", or trimmed by $162 million.  Last week, the details of the cuts were made available. Despite all that has been fought for during the past year - arts and culture in Pennsylvania is again on the chopping block.

Making matters even worse, budgets at the federal level are also being cut. The Obama Administration released its proposed budget for FY2011with news that the president is calling for a discretionary spending freeze at current levels for the next three years as part of his budget. The National Endowment of the Arts saw their budget reduced to $161.3 million - $6 million less than in 2010.  In addition to the decrease in NEA funding, the Arts in Education (AIE) program was consolidated with the Department of Education's new "Effective Teaching and Learning for Well-Rounded Education" program, which some fear might diminish the focus on arts in education across the country, as it is the only identified arts specific education program in the Department. 

More than ever, the arts and dance need your support! Besides making your voices heard at all levels of government, both state and federal, the private sector will also need to step up in these difficult economic times to ensure the continuation of valuable cultural programs.

As individuals, these issues seem insurmountable at times, but your help is invaluable. Get involved with your representatives and let them know that the Arts is a critical part of both our society and economy. But also, get out and support dance companies in the region - attend a performance, make a donation, volunteer your time. 

Steven Weisz
PhiladelphiaDANCE.org