Julie Andrews appeals to Congress to save arts funding

Julie Andrews appeals to Congress to save arts funding

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norman lebrecht

March 18, 2017

The singer – an LA Philharmonic board member – and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, have issued a gentle request on the CNN website.

Extract:

The arts are fundamental to our common humanity. Every time we attend the theater, a museum or a concert, we are literally feeding our souls, and investing in and preserving our collective future. To paraphrase the great Katherine Anne Porter, when all about us is lying in the ashes, it is the arts that remind us who we are, where we came from and what matters most.

We feel it has never been more critical to advocate for and support the arts — not just in our schools, but in our communities and our lives. We therefore respectfully request that every member of our society — individuals, educators, administrators, business leaders — do everything possible to preserve and advance this most precious and essential resource, and demand that our elected representatives do the same.

Read the full article here and send it to your elected representative.

Comments

  • Jeffrey Biegel says:

    Few have left a legacy as Julie Andrews. Thank you for delivering a message that transcends the past and present and symbolizes the future. It’s not about us–we turn to earth–it is about the future.

  • Elizabeth Owen says:

    Good for her let’s hope someone listens .

  • Nick says:

    If she goes before a congressional committee, the’ll all be lining up for photos LOL

  • Carol says:

    Miss Andrews’ letter is most eloquent and knowledgable. Her work , also, represents a much higher form of the arts, in the main. Her reputation was one of being the ultimate professional. I’m glad the L.A. Phil. had her input as a board member.
    Why aren’t we questioning all of the successful artists in various fields, earning multi-millions, and/or, worth the same, to contribute as they should and towards education and
    that would make-up the sums required ?
    Really, few, very few support symphonies, theatres, art and music festivals, TV productions, etc..
    At least, her actions equate her words.

    • Steve P says:

      Because most wealthy artists and sports figures agree with socialist principles, but not actually supporting them with their money. Govt is supposed to handle that messy business…with someone else’s money. I personally do not want my tax money going to support NEA, PBS, or any other lib-dominant organization. Raise my ticket prices, find new donors, or get more creative with putting on shows that will attract audiences. Otherwise, quit whining because the federal govt was not created to give handouts to arts organizations who spend more money on administration and far less going to the actual artists.

      • Lucas Richman says:

        Two important considerations here:
        1. A government that supports the arts is a government that recognizes the importance of having the arts as a necessary facet of its culture and operations. The arts bring millions of dollars to cities and states in tourism and related business revenue: why shouldn’t some of those funds go back into the arts (and it’s a drop in the fiscal bucket that we’re even discussing here).
        2. At least in the orchestral world, much of the NEA funding goes towards making it possible for schoolchildren to attend concerts, many for their very first time. If we do not have the funds by which to introduce young people to the arts, they will not consider it as part of their lives when, as adults, they begin making choices about how they might spend their time and dispensable income.
        This is not about being “lib-dominant” organizations–it speaks to the fact that arts organizations should be about creating art for communities and not about spending most of their time just trying to raise money in order to stay afloat.

  • Pianofortissimo says:

    ‘Her work… represents a much higher form of the arts’ (?). Julie Andrews was very successful in the light entertainmet business.

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