Regarding the July 22 article, “Public art; public purse: What do you think?”: Full disclosure, I am one of the artists participating in the temporary sculpture exhibit at the Snohomish County campus. The arts are part of our society, not a separate element.
Funding the arts is the same as building a road. The arts allow us to get from one place to another. As Joseph Campbell said, “The creative act is not hanging on, but yielding to a new creative movement. Awe is what moves us forward.” The arts also provide jobs. According to the Los Angeles Times (Jan. 24, 2011), federal support for the arts and culture pays for itself 18 times over.
Artists spend money to create their work. Local artists tend to spend that money locally. Artists employ people and in today’s economic landscape they are some of the few who actually make anything. It is, in fact, a day job for those who are willing to commit themselves to the creative process.
I spent the entirety of my stipend for the temporary exhibit ($700) on materials: wire mesh from Skagit Farm Supply, Stanwood; nylon cord from Redden Marine Supply, Bellingham; lumber and stain from Hamilton Lumber, Stanwood; steel from Skagit River Steel, Burlington; cable from Hardware Sales, Bellingham; hardware from Stanwood Hardware, Stanwood; additional hardware from True Value, Camano Island; fabric from Rose Brand, Secaucus, N.J. That is money that went to retailers here locally and nationally. That is money back into the economy. I would argue that bailouts and unjust tax policies are a greater threat to jobs and the decline in the standard of living.
All of us are struggling during these hard economic times. Every public program works better when the public is involved. I commend all who have commented on this issue, both for and against.
Aaron Haba
Camano Island
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
