Cuts in Arts Education

Budget cuts are happening at every level of publicly funded organizations whether we are talking about government, charities, arts organizations or schools.  Historically, every time the economy starts to falter and the states and federal government start cutting money for education the first thing that seems to get hit the hardest is music and theater programs in our public schools.  In 2005, when being interviewed for a magazine article about my involvement in the music community in Arizona, I called this practice "a crime".  My feelings have not changed.  Whether you have children in school, are retired, or are a corporate CEO, you must speak out and keep the arts education process moving forward.  Time after time, the statistics prove, that children given a solid arts background, do better academically than those who don't.  Parents need to write or call their school boards.  Retirees need to contact their state and federal representatives.  Big business needs to put aside a percentage of their profits to fund arts educatiion in their local communities.  Yes, I agree that academic subjects are important but the arts are equally important to the survival of our civilized world.  Maybe if we pumped as much money into the arts as we do into defense, perhaps the world would be a different place.