Miss Apple Blossom Festival

Photo Courtesy: John Wetervelt

Platform Statement:

Name: Kourtney Ginn
Title: Miss Apple Blossom Festival

Advocating For The Arts

The arts community constantly faces scrutiny over its value and purpose in society. The arts are typically the first to face budget cuts, which has been displayed this year with a devastating budget cut for the National Endowment for the Arts. Virginia also follows this trend, funding the arts at a mere forty-three cents per capita, ranking 35th in the nation for arts funding. In 2010, attempts were even made to completely eliminate the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Fortunately, the elimination of this critical organization did not occur, but it did suffer a 16% cut in funding.

It is clear that many Americans, including Virginians, believe that cutting arts funding will bolster our economy when in fact the arts contribute $166.2 billion in total economic activity as well as 5.7 million jobs nationwide. Americans feel that the arts are unimportant and unnecessary when the opposite is true. The arts provide individuals of all ages, races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds with opportunities for success by inspiring innovation, imagination, and creativity that creates a civic dialogue beneficial to all. Students who participate in the arts programs are four times as likely to succeed in school than those who do not. Overall support and participation in the arts enhances development, attitudes, and motivation in our society. It is time we acknowledge the benefits of incorporating the arts in our schools, communities, and personal lives.

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