Post 8: The Arts and Public Policy

I noticed Ross' recent entry about the resignation of New York City Opera's ambitious impresario due to funds that never materialized. He also mentioned one other company that has recently closed down, Opera Pacific. 

I've been terribly concerned and disheartened lately over Prop 8 in California, so one of my main concerns in thinking about the President-Elect was researching his platform on gay marriage. Then it dawned on me when I saw Ross' entry that my livelihood is partially dependent on his platform on the arts. I quickly Googled "obama arts funding" and came across a PDF on his website. It calls Obama and his vice presidential pick, Joe Biden "champions of the arts." I wondered what qualified someone or a group to be champions of the arts. Is not Alex Ross a champion as well? 

Luckily for my musical future, they claim to want to start and Artists Corps. Like the Peace Corps, except for artists. Woot!!! I'm excited to see that day. I'll be first in enlist. The platform also makes a point of including health care for artists as well. My demographic, starving young artists who are fresh out of the best arts programs in the world are the largest uninsured groups of Americans. Statistics show that 18-34 year olds have the greatest percentage of uninsured. Also, childless adults, usual the career oriented men and women who are more "free-lance," newspaper columnists and piano teachers.  

Someone is coaching the Obama crew well. I hope that they can follow through.