Bush Is Said to Seek More Money for Arts [$15 million to $20 million for NEA]

New York Times ^ | January 29, 2004 | ROBERT PEAR

[yonif]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 — President Bush will seek a big increase in the budget of the National Endowment for the Arts, the largest single source of support for the arts in the United States, administration officials said on Wednesday.

The proposal is part of a turnaround for the agency, which was once fighting for its life, attacked by some Republicans as a threat to the nation's moral standards.

Laura Bush plans to announce the request on Thursday, in remarks intended to show the administration's commitment to the arts, aides said.

Administration officials, including White House budget experts, said that Mr. Bush would propose an increase of $15 million to $20 million for the coming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. That would be the largest rise in two decades and far more than the most recent increases, about $500,000 for 2003 and $5 million for this year.

The agency has a budget of $121 million this year, 31 percent lower than its peak of $176 million in 1992. After Republicans gained control of Congress in 1995, they cut the agency's budget to slightly less than $100 million, and the budget was essentially flat for five years.

In an e-mail message inviting arts advocates to a news briefing with Mrs. Bush, Dana Gioia, the poet who is chairman of the endowment, says, "You will be present for an important day in N.E.A. history."

Mr. Gioia (pronounced JOY-uh) has tried to move beyond the culture wars that swirled around the agency for years. He has nurtured support among influential members of Congress, including conservative Republicans like Representatives Charles H. Taylor and Sue Myrick of North Carolina. He has held workshops around the country to explain how local arts organizations can apply for assistance.

Public support for the arts was hotly debated in the 1990's. Conservatives complained that the agency was financing obscene or sacrilegious works by artists like Robert Mapplethorpe and Andres Serrano. Former Senator Jesse Helms, Republican of North Carolina, repeatedly tried to eliminate the agency.

Some new money sought by Mr. Bush would expand initiatives with broad bipartisan support, like performances of Shakespeare's plays and "Jazz Masters" concert tours.

Mrs. Bush also plans to introduce a new initiative, "American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius." This would combine art presentations — from painting and literature to music and dance — with education programs. The program would give large numbers of students around the country a chance to see exhibitions and performances.

New York receives a large share of the endowment's grants. But under federal law, the agency also gives priority to projects that cater to "underserved populations," including members of minority groups in urban neighborhoods with high poverty rates.

The president's proposal faces an uncertain future at a time of large budget deficits.

Melissa Schwartz, a spokeswoman for the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, an advocacy group, said, "We'll be fighting tooth and nail for the increase."

Some conservatives, like Representative Tom Tancredo, Republican of Colorado, vowed to oppose the increase. Even without support from the government, he said, "art would thrive in America."

Representative Louise M. Slaughter, a New York Democrat who is co-chairwoman of the Congressional Arts Caucus, said she was delighted to learn of Mr. Bush's proposal.

"There's nothing in the world that helps economic development more than arts programs," Ms. Slaughter said. "It was foolish for Congress to choke them and starve them. We should cherish the people who can tell us who we are, where we came from and where we hope to go."

Mr. Tancredo expressed dismay. "We are looking at record deficit and potential cuts in all kinds of programs," he said. "How can I tell constituents that I'll take money away from them to pay for somebody else's idea of good art? I have no more right to do that than to finance somebody else's ideas about religion."

The agency has long had support from some Republicans, like Representatives Christopher Shays of Connecticut and Jim Leach of Iowa.

"Government involvement is designed to take the arts from the grand citadel of the privileged and bring them to the public at large," Mr. Leach said. "This democratization of the arts ennobles the American experience."

[Azzurri]

What an absolute waste. Reading this sickens me.

[Viking2002]

Man, I don't know about you good folks, but Bush is driving me to drink.

[GeronL]

The OLD thread

go and tell them we have a new thread with the story!

[Keith]

I think Mrs. Bush believes that you lead by example...if the National Endowment starts to fund true art and not pornography, then perhaps it's setting a good example. At least, I think that is what the first lady has in mind...perhaps she is right.

[martin_fierro]

AHCHOO!

There's your artwork. Where's my NEA grant?

You're welcome.

<|:)~

[KantianBurke]

the agency also gives priority to projects that cater to "underserved populations," including members of minority groups in urban neighborhoods with high poverty rates.

Wow! In addition to being unconstitutional, its going to discriminate on the basis of race. Thanks Dubya, you dolt!

[browardchad]

Mr. Tancredo expressed dismay. "We are looking at record deficit and potential cuts in all kinds of programs," he said. "How can I tell constituents that I'll take money away from them to pay for somebody else's idea of good art? I have no more right to do that than to finance somebody else's ideas about religion."

Well done, Mr. Tancredo. At least someone in Congress is willing to speak up for their constituents, while the rest of the spineless critters wallow in pork fat.

[ambrose]

Isn't this just special?

[GeronL]

Glory for the State!! All hail the mighty State!!

[lepton]

Ugh

[secret garden]

Big mistake.

[GeronL]

affirmative action art!!??

[DoughtyOne]

I don't say this with malice, but this president is not well grounded in conservatism. I will probably vote for the guy later this year, but this just sickens me. If the arts are so damned important, why don't those who make trillions from the arts, pitch in?

Does Bush honestly think the NEA supporters are going to vote for him? This is just shocking, it's so ill advised. Why not increase the NPR funding at the same time? Yikes.

[Doctor Stochastic]

This isn't surprisng. Conservatives generally support more government if they can control it. Same as Liberals.

[smokeyb]

ping

[KantianBurke]

"Why not increase the NPR funding at the same time?"

Don't give that simpleton any ideas please.

[laweeks]

Just incredible! He's walking into a defeat if he thinks he can keep trashing conservative principles like this. Why don't the Republican leaders have the fire in the belly that the Democrats have? Can you imagine ANY of the Democrats cutting taxes, passing pro-life bills, eliminating afirmative action, or being against homosexual "marriages"?

Why in the world do conservative "leaders" cave in and appease the liberals? Is there a stateman anywhere at the top of conservative politics?

[Pukin Dog]

If paying for this comes with new rules establishing what is Art and more importantly, what AINT art, then go ahead.

If this means cutting off the radical left from the funds, in favor of a more balanced approach, so be it.

[kristinn]

Representative Louise M. Slaughter, a New York Democrat who is co-chairwoman of the Congressional Arts Caucus, said she was delighted to learn of Mr. Bush's proposal.

"There's nothing in the world that helps economic development more than arts programs," Ms. Slaughter said. "It was foolish for Congress to choke them and starve them. We should cherish the people who can tell us who we are, where we came from and where we hope to go."

This attitude alone is reason enough to kill off the NEA. But no, we'll increase the deficit instead.

[mrmargaritaville]

Bush is NO conservative. Today on ORielly's radio show he was talking about what appears to be the upcoming race between Kerry and Bush-Liberal vs. Conservative-I felt like calling him up and asking him which one is the conservative in that race. I'm starting to think that maybe as a conservative (libertarian-small "l") that I would not mind seeing Kerry win so that in '06 more of the country would finally put some real conservatives in the Congress. Done of course in order to stop the liberal agenda of Kerry-they sure as hell are not stopping the liberal agenda of GW Bush.

[RiflemanSharpe]

And people on this board are asking me Why I am now supporting the Constitution Party. Here is another reason.

[F16Fighter]

"Man, I don't know about you good folks, but Bush is driving me to drink."

Hold on now. I'm sure that drink is one more freebie covered in any number of bills getting a budget increase and signed by the President...

Order an appetizer while you're at it -- trust me, that's covered too.

[PureSolace]

where's all this money gonna come from?

[GhostofWCooper]

Representative Louise M. Slaughter, a New York Democrat who is co-chairwoman of the Congressional Arts Caucus, said she was delighted to learn of Mr. Bush's proposal.

It's all about gettin liberal pukes to like him, I guess.

Trying to be popular with these pinkos sure does run up our grandchildren's debt. I hope they have good jobs to pay for it all.

[Torie]

Oh the horror. 5 million "wasted." That amount is spent by the feds every five minutes, maybe less. But we love getting off on irrelevant symbolic issues don't we? On to Mars.

[COEXERJ145]

Seeing how this is from the New York Slimes, I'll wait for the real proposal if there even is one.

[Cicero]

From an economic point of view, it's a piddling amount, less than a drop in the bucket. But from a political point of view, it's totally stupid.

[yonif]

where's all this money gonna come from?

[smokeyb]

I am trying to figure out why the Dems hate this guy ? He looks more like a RINO every day. C'mon GW, I thought you were on our side.

[KantianBurke]

[DoughtyOne]

Oops, LOL.

[MinuteGal]

You can't buy friends.

Despite lavishing compassion and grants on them, the Administration will mine as many votes from the leftist artsy-fartsy bloc as it will from the gimme-gimme immigrant bloc.

Nada.

[HHFi]

I'm torn on this. On the one hand, I don't know why the government should dun taxpayers to fund the arts, and I agree with those who say that if there are enough people who want to watch ballet or operas or plays, then they should be able to pay their own way in the free market (and I put my money where my mouth is: I just bought season tickets to Theater Three's next season here in Dallas).

On the other hand, these very same people are the ones who have stuck me with huge tax bills to build several local gigantic sports arenas that I have never visited and will never visit, all so that sports fans can have a place to enjoy their preferred entertainment. That $20 million boost for the NEA wouldn't even make a down payment on some of these luxurious sports arenas.

I like theater and real music, and am bored out of my mind by sports, yet I'm told that taxes shouldn't support struggling arts companies, but they should support billionaire sports team owners and their millionaire players. How about a little intellectual consistency?

[ambrose]

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK.... yes, this did receive an NEA grant...

http://www.gis.net/~scatt/artists_online/mapplethorpe/mapple_whip.jpeg


(DO *NOT* click on this link if you're at all squeamish...

[B4Ranch]

Our pockets!

[ZTedster]

LOL

Bush is sort of okay on this war.

Other than that, he's a bolshevik.

Eliminate NEA and be done with it.

[BnBlFlag]

It looks like he's trying to rub our noses in it. What utter stupidity.

[inchworm]

Bush's Medicare DRug entitlemennts, Campaign finance reform, migrant worker garbage plan, Incresing funds to N.E.A, and any other liberal crap Bush does WILL ALL ADD UP TO HIS FATHERS TAX CUTS.
Bush has taught me that the Republican philosophy has become different that what Republican Politics are. This kind of stuff is making me sick. His liberal domestic party has gotten to the point where I can no longer defend him even when talking to other Republicans, nor do I want to.
BUsh, YOU NEED TO WAKE THE HELL UP!

[F16Fighter]

LOL

[yonif]

U.S. to help fund immigrant care [Hospitals who treat illegal immigrants will get $1B]

[ambrose]

[templar]

I remember once, long, long time ago, when the Republicans actually talked about getting rid of the NEA. Course, that was a long itme ago ... and it's not like we have anything better to do with the money.

[F16Fighter]

Yeah, I know. Some people have REAL short memories.

[luckydevi]

for later

[Ol' Sparky]

Remember when the Republicans used to be the party of small government and there was talk about eliminating the NEA?

[nopardons]

If I remember correctly and I just may be wrong about this, some of the money the NEA gets, goes into music appreciation and art classes in public schools. While a goodly part of the monies spent by the NEA, is spent on utter garbage, this part isn't. It's used to take kids to see operas,on field trips to museums, and to bring fine classical musicians to schools, where most of the children would never be exposed, at all, to this stuff.

[luckydevi]

for later

[KantianBurke]

Education isn't the Federal government's job. Try again.

[Ol' Sparky]

Bush thinks triangulating and moving the left is going to be successful strategy. It isn't for a Republicans. Democrats have to do that. All doing this does for a Republican is alienate the base and cost the Republicans votes.

Bush is just like his daddy. He is clueless. Without a motivated base, he might just find a way to lose.