Help Save The Arts In Florida!

[carogonza]

Florida lawmakers are thinking of cutting all funds for the arts in the state. The Sun Sentinel newspaper is taking a poll and it would be great if any one of you could go to
www.sun-sentinel.com and take the poll to show your support of not cutting the funding. The poll is halfway down the front page to the right. Check: Don't cut the arts at all. Arts funding is tiny --one-half of one percent of the budget shortfall -- and it's vital.

Not just Floridians can vote and it would be great to get the poll numbers up for keeping the funding because maybe it will change a few minds in the state legislature. But if you are a Floridian, please support our art funding. This includes not only theatres and concerts but museums and historical societies etc.

Thanks everyone!!

Carolyn:grin3:

[tncorgi]

Your view?

35.4%
Don't cut the arts at all. Arts funding is tiny -- one-half of one percent of the budget shortfall -- and it's vital. (451 responses)

30.6%
Make some cuts in the arts. All budget cuts will be painful and the arts are no more important than human services and education. (390 responses)

30.4%
Make the total cut in arts funding the Senate proposed. It's sad, but other funding areas are more critical. (387 responses)

3.7%
Not sure. (47 responses)

1275 total responses

[carogonza]

I have a friend who works in a theatre here and they stand to lose over $150,000 if this goes through. If that happens, there will be layoffs and program cuts. For the smaller theatres and museums etc. the cuts will be devastating. A few cuts are okay but the lawmakers want to cut ALL the budget for the arts. That is a shame. Please help!!

[Kym]

They cut ALL - 100% - ALL of our arts funding in the state of New Jersey. They don't realize what a hardship it is for people and institutions that were already struggling and drastically underfinanced to take a hit like this.

One of the theater companies I work with is completely in jeopardy as a result of this cut. They are currently trying to figure out how they are going to survive next year with no funding from the state.

It's sad because truly, arts groups enrich our culture so much - especially in this day of video games and action movies. To be able to take our children to see a live performance of a Shakespearean comedy that's centuries old may be a luxury we will soon be unable to take advantage of.

End soapbox

Kym

[carogonza]

That's what they want to do here in FL too. It's a shame because not only do we lose the cultural aspect but a lot of jobs are in trouble. I live in S. Florida and about 4 theatre companies have gone out of business in the last two years. I work for a social service agency and they are cutting us off too but not 100%. That is ridiculous.

[Neesie]

Looks like Floridians have their work cut out for them to try and save this valuable resource. Just for young people alone that need the exposure to these very types of activities could be detrimental. It's all about islands of expertise. If the young can not be exposed to it then how can they possibly know if it is something that might be their own little "island". Good luck and here is the latest update.

Neesie


35.2%
Don't cut the arts at all. Arts funding is tiny -- one-half of one percent of the budget shortfall -- and it's vital. (815 responses)

28.8%
Make some cuts in the arts. All budget cuts will be painful and the arts are no more important than human services and education. (668 responses)

32.6%
Make the total cut in arts funding the Senate proposed. It's sad, but other funding areas are more critical. (756 responses)

3.3%
Not sure. (77 responses)

[carogonza]

Seems like people are not really into saving the arts. That's too bad. It's not until the theatres and concert halls, museums etc. go out of business that they will miss them.

Floridians keep voting!!