Why support the arts in this time of trouble? Seems frivolous to some. Not to me and not to anyone who cares to study the question. And speaking of studies, a new one co-authored by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis documents that the arts contribute more to the economy than agriculture or transportation or warehousing - $763.6 billion. And the arts are a net plus of $20 billion for the US when it comes to its international trade balance.
But...
We are told to keep social distance, which means that venues from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington to Godfrey Daniels Coffee House in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania are shuttered or will be shuttered soon. Without audiences, no ticket sales. The venues struggle. Without audiences, no place for artists - basically small business people - to earn a living. In all, more than 5,000,000 workers are employed in the arts and culture industry, many of whom depend on open doors encouraging engaged audiences. And those 5,000,000 are…
But...
We are told to keep social distance, which means that venues from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington to Godfrey Daniels Coffee House in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania are shuttered or will be shuttered soon. Without audiences, no ticket sales. The venues struggle. Without audiences, no place for artists - basically small business people - to earn a living. In all, more than 5,000,000 workers are employed in the arts and culture industry, many of whom depend on open doors encouraging engaged audiences. And those 5,000,000 are…