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Arts came along that a dent was made in this economic censorship. The Endowment created panels of respected artists who judged on the basis of artistic merit.
Of the 85,000 arts grants the Endowment has awarded in the past 25 years, less than 20 grants have been the subject of controversy. Now, I really dont’ think that 1 out of every 4,250 grants is anywhere near enough controversy in the arts. The professional peer panels have been playing it too safe.
But it’s a chilling thought to realize that what we see and hear in the arts may be decided by a Senator from North Carolina, a TV evangelist, or a President of some major oil company instead.
Now you may think that all the Endowment money goes to the established artists in New York and Los Angeles who really don’t neqd the money. But the truth of it is that a great deal of the funds get distributed to grassroots organizations and artists through state arts councils such as the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
We live in a remarkable community noted for its quality of life. But with no industry and a population base the size of Rappahannock County, it is impossible for this community to fully support any arts organizations and activities. Yet, we have three non-profit groups: KI Theatre, RAAC, and Middle Street Gallery and a number of other groups and individuals that present or perform regularly including Trapezoid, The Rappahannock Players, Lorraine Duisit and Tom Espinola, Sally Nash and the Last Minute Wood Company, Sharon Wyrrick and Full Circle Dance Company, Tuin, The OK’s, Crazy Eights, Rappahannock Library, CCLC, the Rappahannock County School Board and others.
Many of the workshops, programs and organizational support for non-profit groups would not exist without public support for the arts.
Please write our representatives (Senators Charles Robb and John Warner, and Representative D. French Slaughter) and urge them to support the five-year reauthorization of the Endowment with its budget intact at the federal level and without restrictive language. The fate of the Endowment will be decided this month. There is no place in a free society for censorship of the arts.
PAUL REISLER, Trapezoid JULIE PORTMAN, Ki Theatre
Washington
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