Obama's Arts Platform

Now that Barack Obama has been elected, he has the difficult task during this challenging economic time of delivering his promises. He writes poetry, has contact with Bruce Springsteen, Jay-Z and had a far reaching arts plank as part of his platform.
He advocated for increased support for arts education and the National Endowment for the Arts to changing the U. S. federal tax code for artists.
Echoing a comment in today's Globe and Mail about possible cuts to the arts in Ottawa, Elizabeth Currid, an expert on urban policy and the economic impact of the arts at the University of Southern California's School of Policy, Planning and Development said "In a time of economic turmoil, the arts is the last thing on any one's mind and yet it's the most important time to support the arts."
Obama began forming his culture plank in the spring of 2007, long before winning the Democratic nomination. He brought together a committee of artists and arts professionals, headed by Hollywood writer, director and producer George Stevens Jr. and Broadway producer Margo Lion.
The Committee's members include novelist Michael Charbon, Broadway director Hal Prince, musicians Eugenia and Pinchas Zukerman ( music director of Ottawa's National Arts Centre Orchestra), Museum of Modern Art president emerita Agnes Gund and Lynch of Americans for the Arts.
The committee developed a program that advocates: the creation of an "Artists Corp" of young artists trained to work in low-income schools and communities, the expansion of public-private partnerships to increase cultural-education programs; increased funding for the NEA; a commitment to "cultural diplomacy"; attracting foreign talent to the arts; and providing health care to artists.
While he was developing this plank, our present prime minister was and continues to find ways to cut support to the artists and all its support structures. What stark contrast!