The Arts Build Bridges, Not Fences : Art: What happened to the Republicans’ historic support for public funding that opens hearts and minds?

Lines are being drawn when it comes to issues of government funding of the arts. Since the Republican landslide there’s been speculation that the arts might not survive the downsizing of government. The National Endowment for the Arts, the Public Broadcasting System and the California Arts Council have all been identified as candidates for the chopping block.

Rhetoric and simplistic thinking has come to dominate these discussions as the Democrats favor and the Republicans oppose arts funding. One could have confused the CAC statewide conference in January with a Democratic assembly as participants routinely denounced the GOP for its anti-arts agenda. However, there’s something wrong with this picture, as the GOP has historically been a strong arts supporter. As governor, Ronald Reagan implemented the California Commission of the Arts, the precursor of the CAC. President Nixon increased the NEA’s budget tenfold, and Pete Wilson now advocates fully funding the CAC’s current budget.

The bottom line for the arts’ value in our culture isn’t on an accountant’s ledger but within the hearts and spirit of the people. If it weren’t so, the U.S. military wouldn’t be funding its musicians and bands with a budget that exceeds the NEA’s.

Critics of government support of the arts often cite the example of the NEA funding an exhibit which included a photo of a crucifix in a jar of urine. Naturally, this insulted many taxpayers; a thin line divides abusive behavior and freedom of expression. However, objecting to NEA support for one controversial artist doesn’t warrant abolishing the agency.

Walls continue to be erected throughout society these days. Have you seen the U.S.-Mexico border at San Diego lately? A solid steel fence cuts across the land from the hills to the sea like some ambitious Christo artwork. There’s no mistaking where Mexico ends and the United States begins. Adjacent to the border is a prison, itself defined by its fences and electrical deadline. One is either inside or outside of prison.

In this political atmosphere of polarizing, as in prison, there’s little room for negotiation. Rules are clearly defined and one always knows on which side of a line, or issue, one stands. While “prison thinking” may be appropriate for those incarcerated, it’s debilitating in a free society.

For several years, California has had the Arts-in-Corrections program for our state prisons. Inmates attending art classes have demonstrated an attitude change, and once released a significant number stay out of prison. In a small way, the process of prisoners creating art has helped to ease some tensions and redirect negative energy in a positive direction.

Since the positive effects of the arts are demonstrably successful in prison, why aren’t they promoted more in our inner cities, thereby reducing the inflow of new prisoners?

This isn’t the time for defunding the arts. Our society is in too much peril. Government support for the arts is as important as filling potholes or making the trains run on time. I encourage the new Republican leadership in Congress and their fans on talk radio to continue the GOP’s support for the arts.