texas arts

even though i didn't write this, i feel that the arts play such an important part in my life that this needs to be here. plus, fleetwood is pretty much my other half, so it's almost like i wrote it. but worded better:

If the Arts play any kind of role in your life at all, please read the following and take 5 minutes to help keep the arts in Texas! Thank you.

The Texas Commission on the Arts is a state agency dedicated to fostering a receptive climate for the Arts in Texas. The agency funds non-profit art agencies all over Texas from rural Areas to major cities. It conducts grant workshops instructing agencies how to effectively procure funds from private resources. It provides technological and programmatical support for these agencies, it is essential to the very survival of the arts in many communities across Texas. The money that The Commission not only provides but more importantly generates in the state of Texas builds communities, creates jobs, enlivens tourism, stimulates thought, and makes Texas a more beautiful and interesting place to live. The funding is not limited one type of art, it extends to theatre, opera, music, symphonies, chorus, sculpture, photography, painting, crafts, and you name it. It funds arts venues, theatres, museums, street fairs, Shakespeare in the Park, student field trips to all of these places. It is a comprehensive and broad reach that effects every member of our community.


Ah yes, I haven't even touched on the Arts Education focus of the Commission which is a huge part of its programming. Arts Education, stimulates creativity in Children which translates into intelligence, problem solving, and creative expression. It enhances language skills, computer skills, speaking skills. Not to mention many programs that the commission funds are after school art programs that give underserved and under-privileged children a place to go, a reason for being and in a lot of cases keeps them off the streets and out of trouble during that critical period between the time school is out and the time parents come home from work.

The reason I am writing all of this is that the Texas Commission on the Arts is under review by the legislature – a division called the "Sunset Commission" to determine the worthiness of the agency. There is one man on the Commission who believes that it is not the responsibility of the State to fund the arts. He feels that the Texas Commission on the Arts serves as a distraction to more important business.
The citizens of the state of Texas have until April 7th to send testimonials, letters etc. to the Sunset Commission in support of the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Here is a link to the feedback form for the sunset commission. If the arts play any role in your life please take the time to fill it out and let them know how and why it is the responsibility of the state to fund this extremely important agency. Thank you.

http://www.sunset.state.tx.us/question.htm

P.S. This is a non-partisan issue. The arts do not divide, they unite.

Thanks for your help!
fleetwood