Dear President Trump and Administration,
I try to keep my political opinions off of the Internet as much as possible. I don't particularly enjoy watching arguments go down between all of my Facebook friends, especially since my own political views fall on both ends of the spectrum, depending on the issue. There are a few issues that I find important enough to mention, however, and in the past few days this one has hit the press.
I genuinely appreciate and respect the efforts to cut spending. I understand our country's financial situation is less than ideal and we need to be working to fix it. I also understand that I don't understand it all. I don't. However, when examining what to cut to "fix" our budget problems, cutting the so-called "waste" that is the National Endowment for the Arts should not be the answer.
You see, I am here to tell you that the arts are not waste. The arts are not optional. The arts are not a "luxury." We have seen the arts treated as such in education, cut time and time again from budgets, resulting in a situation where students are taught for a test. They lose creativity, and, ironically, test scores fall. Because, here's the truth--the arts produce educational benefits. The arts produce emotional benefits. The arts produce community benefits.
Cutting the NEA and the National Endowment for the Humanities together account for only 0.006% of federal spending each year. 0.006%. The artists haven't asked for much (nor have they been given much).
I could list off benefit after benefit that the arts provide to our great nation, but you can find those lists on the Internet in no time. I could talk about how if we get rid of the arts, we begin to lose actors and directors of the movies we enjoy seeing and musicians of the bands we enjoy listening to. Art is everywhere.
I could tell you those things. But, instead, I am going to tell you my story.
I was a shy, quiet, lonely, sad kid in middle school. The Lord used the arts to change that. I got involved in theatre and was welcomed into a space where my awkward self got to be someone else. I was loved on by people old and young and told that I mattered. I got to experience life through another's eyes. I got to develop empathy and learn about other people, because I was stepping into their shoes, minds, and bodies through the characters I played. I also began singing in choir. I found my voice. I learned that my voice was worth sharing with the world.
I slowly became able to walk up to someone and say hello. I was able to speak fearlessly. I began to find groups of friends who cared about me, as an artist and as a person. I discovered who I was. I began, over time, to boldly live as the person the Lord--the Creator--the Artist--created me to be.
I found a college major and career path, as an Arts Administrator, and the future of my career depends on the National Endowment for the Arts. We need art.
But here's the other thing: even if you cut our funding, we will not stop creating. We will continue to tell our stories and the stories of those that came before. We will continue to sing and paint and play. We will continue to show younger generations that they can create beauty in this world. All we are asking is for you to help us. With 0.006% of your budget. Let it be.
Thank you for listening. Thank you for caring about our country. I'm looking forward to all of us, as Americans, working together on every issue to work for the common good.
Sincerely,
An Artist Made By The Artist
