INC NEWS - Fwd: Kvetching by Arts groups

[Kelly Jarrett]

Ellen--
Thanks for this historical context. I continue to think that pulling the 
plug on arts funding and other preventive programs is short-sighted, and 
I agree that "cops plus . . . " is a far more effective and productive 
way to move Durham forward and to support the positive forces in our 
community.

Kelly J.

Ellen Dagenhart wrote:
> FYI.
>
>> Cc: bragin at nc.rr.com,
>>  ellen Dagenhart <dagnhrt at mindspring.com>,
>>  Sherry DeVries <sldevries at durhamarts.org>,
>>  Robert Aitchison & Bob Aitchison <hafskip at mindspring.com>
>> From: Robert Aitchison <hafskip at mindspring.com>
>> Subject: Kvetching by Arts groups
>> Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 13:55:11 -0400
>> To: mwshiflett at hotmail.com
>>
>>
>> Mike,
>>
>> I have read your complaint that arts organizations should not be 
>> kvetching about cuts.
>>
>> I wanted to step back in time to the late 90s, when the City, led by 
>> Mayor Sylvia Kerchoff, decided to fund arts organizations with a 
>> penny and a half of the tax dollar (the "penny pot") so we as a fine 
>> community would support arts.   This was not meant to be all the 
>> money the organizations would need to exist--far from it--but was to 
>> affirm the importance of arts to our community, our economy (!!) and 
>> our youth.  The application process was civilized and the city showed 
>> concrete support for something that makes life better for all Durham 
>> residents.
>>
>> All was well until, some time in the last several years, Council 
>> decided to open up the Pot to all non-city agencies and make it a 
>> "competitive" process.  There seemed to be no way to satisfy 
>> everyone, so last year Council decided to look at the whole process.  
>> The result was what we were told in the winter--we would have two 
>> more years, less money each time, then nothing.  We were not at all 
>> satisfied, but what could we do?  If it seems we are kvetching now, 
>> it is because we have to put up with what we see as a betrayal.
>>
>> The result is an "arts vs. cops" mentality, or so I read from your 
>> posts.  This is not what should be happening. Arts are the other part 
>> of the equation.  It should be Arts PLUS Cops = lower juvenile 
>> crime.  After I spoke on Monday, a policemen shook my hand!
>>
>> A civilized city, especially one that claims to be an arts community, 
>> should support the arts!  It's that simple.
>>
>> Anne Aitchison
>> Twice President and flutist member (as a volunteer, I must add)
>> The Durham Symphony
>>
>>
> Ellen M. Dagenhart, ABR, e-Pro, GRI, SRES
> MailTo:dagnhrt at mindspring.com
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