A Changing Culture

Funding for the arts has been a debated topic in the United States for years. From the refusal to publish the Guggenheim commissioned project by Robert Frank in the 1950’s to the controversy over publicly funding Robert Mapplethorpe’s “The Perfect Moment” exhibit in 1989, the general public has voiced their opinion over the artwork they feel they are indirectly supporting. However, recent trends have turned from outrage over subject matter to outrage over their tax dollars being used on the most fundamental of arts programs, arts education. A reason for this change seems to be an ideological shift among Americans which suggests the general view on the importance of the arts has declined significantly.

This cultural shift towards a lesser view of the arts and their impact on society can help sway the government’s decision on funding. The sway becomes an issue within the arts community because the government holds the key to a major piece of arts and arts education funding. But, with the many benefits of the arts and arts education, why is it that the general public seems to overwhelmingly support the cutting arts funding? A cultural shift away from the arts seems to be the leading culprit for the annual pointing of the finger at the arts during budget discussions. With "rapid advances in technology having enabled more access to arts events and arts creation through portable devices and the Internet" the general public has more opportunities to enjoy and support the arts, but according to the latest report by the National Endowment for the Arts, "there has been a long-term pattern of decline since 1985." This pattern seems to be starting a cycle of decline in interest for the arts. The NEA has proposed that the drop in interest and participation has a strong correlation with involvement in arts education. According to the latest report, the percentage of 18-year-olds who have received some form of childhood arts education has dropped nearly 15% over the last 28 years. This drop seems to be contributing to the shifting view on arts funding and is placing the arts community in a sort-of catch-22 situation. As funding drops for arts education, fewer Americans will become involved in the arts and as fewer Americans become involved in the arts, they will continue to point the finger towards the arts funding whenever a budget cut is necessary. This finger pointing was shown in a 2010 PEW study on residents of five states which are in economic stress. The study claimed that in all five states, which included Florida, New York and California, the residents supported, by a majority ranging from 57% to 71%, raising taxes to maintain education and Medicaid funding, but would rather the taxes be directed at the "other guy." These "other guys" were groups that the residents did not identify with, ranging from drinkers, smokers and corporations. With the consistent decrease in arts education participation, the number of people who can count arts programs as the "other guy" continues to grow.

“Public attitudes and fiscal realities in five stressed states” PEW center of the states, October 2010.

“Arts Education in America: What the declines mean for arts participation” NEA, February 2011.