Let’s pretend you know someone who owns a very magical machine. It takes up relatively little room, is almost always pleasing to the eye, doesn't harm the environment, costs relatively little to operate, and generates wealth.
In addition, it can educate and exhilarate; it can transform hearts, minds, souls, cities, and even civilizations.
Why would you want to mess with such a magical machine?
It may be a small machine, but it is kick-ass.
Now, let’s say the owner of that machine decides to cut back on the relatively minor amount of money needed to maintain it; thereby hampering its ability to function, and indeed, even risking its ability to operate at all.
Well, you might say, that’s not only unwise, imprudent, and self-destructive; it’s a terrible shame. Why would one not keep such a magical machine in good shape? It’s more than a shame, it’s utter madness!
Well, unfortunately, we live in a mad, mad, mad world, and it’s getting more insane by the minute. Sadly, this little machine, which does exist, which is very real, is also at dire risk.
The machine is art and history and all things cultural.
The tourism industry, the second largest industry in New Jersey is amply fueled by this machine, and the arts and history generate $1.5 billion in annual revenues.
Obviously, the owner is us -- the citizens of the State of New Jersey. The already too modest upkeep support of this “machine” is now under threat once again, as the Governor (with all good intentions) attempts to curtail spending and balance the State budget.
One of the things he’s proposing is a nearly 30% cut in funding for the NJ State Council on the Arts. This is where we cry, “Penny-wise, pound-foolish!”
New Jersey may be famous, or infamous, for a number of things, but what it can most proudly boast is a rich history, especially in regard to the American Revolution and the birth of our nation and our now-tenuous democracy.
AND, it boasts a stunning array of brilliant minds and talents that have emerged from our small but fabulously diverse landscape. AND, New Jersey has become a role model in the national cultural landscape.
Many of our state’s artists have transformed America and helped shape our shared social/aesthetic consciousness. AND, our vast and rich array of historical sites and our many world-class arts institutions are filling the terrible void in our school systems, providing life-changing and mind-expanding education programs; ones that actually create true, life-long, learning experiences. AND, we have seen the arts revitalize city after New Jersey city.
Several years ago, our state representatives enacted perspicacious legislation to protect our art and history non-profit sectors by creating a dedicated stream of income from the NJ Hotel/Motel Occupancy Fee.
This was done to ensure that fluctuating economies and harsh budgets could/would not threaten the heart and soul of our State. So why would we allow this dedicated stream of income to be infringed upon at the very first “test” of its exact purpose? Why? Because government has a stubborn addiction to breaking promises? Or just plain madness?
We MUST not let our “machine” rust and break. It’s not just penny-wise/ pound-foolish; it’s biting out our heart to spite our soul. If that’s not a compelling enough argument, then hearken back to that $1.5 billion number. Why would we jeopardize that? As I have already said in public, “Why go backwards when there is no cost in going forwards?”
I hope our legislators hearken back to their own wisdom of a few years ago.
I hope they embrace what makes New Jersey so special.
Besides our gardens, farms and beautiful landscapes of all varieties, it is our amazing history and our brilliantly diverse cultural and artistic community that set us apart. We have been, and hopefully will continue to be, a beacon of light for the nation, for we have set an example of fiercely protecting our art and artists, our culture and history.
Do we want to become an example of a people who thoughtlessly extinguished that light? A people who went backwards when there was no obstacle in progressing? I hope not. I don’t.
Want to make your voice heard about this? Log onto the ArtPride NJ’s website at: www.ArtPrideNJ.com and click Action Alert. They have make it SO easy for you to help protect this very magical “machine” that does so much for all of us.
Tags: Corzine, Jon | Arts | culture
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