Support for NEA

As the fine arts specialist for the Ventura County superintendent of schools and as a person deeply involved in the performing arts, I would like to call upon all citizens to express their support of the National Endowment for the Arts. The new Congress will soon vote on whether to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts. This organization has made a variety of programs available to our students and the community at large in theater, dance, music, puppetry and storytelling. Without the help of the NEA, I doubt that many of these programs would have been possible at all.

Research on the effects of the arts on student achievement indicates that the arts stimulate learning and creativity, improve overall academic performance, develop problem-solving skills, teach discipline, promote teamwork and enhance self-esteem. These skills are invaluable if our next generation is to compete in the technologically advanced global community.

The arts also have enhanced our community by spurring economic growth (tourism, hotels, restaurants, etc.) and bringing joy and beauty to our lives through our symphony, our master chorale, our dance companies, our theater events, our art shows and many other activities too numerous to mention.

BRIAN BEMEL

Ojai