Support your local arts…

With all the uncertainty surrounding the futures of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), I have been thinking quite a bit about support for the arts. (It should be noted that the NEA and NEH combined are only about 0.003 percent of the federal budget; each received $148 million last year which is not very much.) In fact, according to news sources I consulted, it’s kind of like this: if you make $50, 000 a year, spending the equivalent of what our government spends on the NEA, the NEH, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting combined, it would be like spending less than $10. Holy cow, you say, our federal government spends that little on the arts? Yep.

So, that aside, let’s think locally. I have been thinking locally because I am involved with both the Dayton Visual Arts Center and the Dayton Society of Artists (as well as a few others …). I want both these organizations to be not only useful to artists and art lovers, but vibrant and growing. They serve different and very necessary purposes for the arts in our community.

Currently I have been working on growing sponsorships and memberships for Dayton Society of Artists. This art organization is entering its 79^th year and the last few years have seen new growth with an infusion of younger artists and consequently new ideas. However, it is a non-profit and non-profits can be a little financially tenuous. Thus, we are always seeking additional support.  

New members bring in new members and new ideas and new art and new life. So, those of you – including me of course – who are already DSA members need to seek out other artists who could benefit from our great programs and opportunities to exhibit, in addition to the creative comradery.

For those of you who love the arts and understand how a vibrant bevy of creatives contributes to lively communities, think about becoming a Friend of the Gallery or sponsoring an exhibition award. I am including in this post the information you need if you wish to befriend our gallery at 48 High Street in the St. Anne Historic district. Isn’t it beautiful?