I received this invite as a candidate, but apparently members of the public can also attend for free. The opportunity to have my "platform on the arts" distributed to the email lists and membership of all the sponsoring organizations sounds like a excellent one. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions for topics I should address? Who wants to join me in attending the event?
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
noon8window.pdf (36 Bytes)
Dear Starchild
In reviewing the list of whom is being represented I have a rough idea or two
about what could be said Libertarian wise that wouldn't be the scorched earth
policy recommended by Cato of de-funding the National Endowment For The Arts but
would still allow you to address their statement of:
a unique opportunity for opinion leaders to discuss the impact of the arts on
the education of our youth, our city’s economy, and our incredibly diverse San
Francisco community.
But I must cogitate on it overnight...
Ron Getty
All right Ron, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
Wow! That's a thoughie. I absolutely love some of the organizations on the list, primarily the Exploratorium and the Lamplighters. But, sad to say they depend primarily on City money. The Exploratorium, for example, has a profit-making cafe that pays royalties (rent based on sales) to the Exploratorium. Maybe other entities that are now pretty dependent on City funds could depend more on profit-making businesses in their premises? I do not feel the Lamplighters do enough promotion of themselves, even though they are terrific artistically. Maybe more promotion, higher ticket prices to cover costs, more volunteers, more outreach to communities that subsidize outings (Bart and I are going to Muir woods next month; outing organized by Parkmerced).
Also, the arts needs to increase its desirability in the public view. How many folks of modest financial means have a smart phone, plasma TV, SUV's? It would be interesting to see how many attend the organizations on the list. Seems to me like a question of desirability vs. cost.
Marcy
Dear Starchild;
A few things to be addressed here. These groups are composed of the performing
arts and the fine arts and a one size fits all statement won't work.
The Hotel Tax which is being used to support the arts is a misnomer as even with
the down times and based on the latest reports took in $173 million with 54%
going to the general fund and the difference being split up based on the chart
below.
Yerba Buena Gardens $5.2 / 3%
Grants for the Arts $11.5 / 7%
War Memorial Complex $9.1 / 5%
S.F. Convention Facilities $40.6 / 24%
Fine Arts Museums $5.6 / 3%
Cultural Equity Endowment $1.7 / .1%
Asian Art Museum $2.2 / .1%
Cultural Centers $1.5 / .1%
Academy of Sciences - Steinhart Aquarium $1.2 / .1%
Low Income Housing - Rental Assistance $.5 / .0%
Administration (Tax Collector) $.1 / .0%
General Fund $93.6 / 54%
this is the latest PDF of from the controllers office on how the money was
spent.
http://www.sfgfta.org/etc/annual%20report%2009_10.pdf
The usual local community suspects needing a hand out and a hammock with room
service.
To paraphrase:
Money is the mother's milk of performing and fine arts support.
So how do you get more voluntary funding money to these groups so they can
remain in existence?
First for performing and fine arts how many people work there and at what
salaries and how many performances or hours of operation are they open and at
what ticket prices and with what administrative expenses for upkeep repair and
maintenance? Are the groups being efficiently run as a business where there is
no fluff in the budget?
Could the number of performances or days open be cut or the staff be cut or the
pay be cut?
Would the group be in existence if they did not have Hotel Tax money? What can
be done to increase the amount of Hotel Tax funds allocated to the Arts? BTW:
While the hotel owners would love it the Hotel Tax will not be repealed.
What could be done to highlight the groups being 501c3 organizations so people
know direct contributions are tax deductible so direct voluntary contributions
would increase?
For all the various art groups not just the ones listed are there too many
competing and chasing after the same money with to little local community
support? Is it time to let the free market decide who gets the money and who
folds their tents?
Would local artists and art galleries or local musicians and music groups do
voluntary fund raising programs with the proceeds going to the arts or music
groups?
Could a program be established for schools of having various local artists or
musicians visit K-12 schools or school kids visiting galleries and music venues?
For the performing arts could a program be established like the volunteer fire
departments where volunteers could do the dance or music performances augmenting
the musicians or dance company. There are more than just a few amateur
musicians or dancers who are good enough to participate but without being paid.
Of course the local unions would not like this but tough about that.
Then there are various businesses who could support the arts through voluntary
supporting of exhibitions or performances on campus or at various venues. Or
supporting a visiting artists program at local schools.
In other words there are various ways - all voluntary funded to help the arts or
with volunteers without having to plunder the taxpayers pockets to keep these
groups afloat and still bring the arts to the community.
Ron Getty