eNewsletter

The Citizen Online

January 30, 2009

Governor Edward G. Rendell is scheduled to give his budget address to a joint session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, February 4, 2009.  Gov. Rendell has already indicated that he would present a budget with no tax increases.  By law, he is required to present a balanced budget. With a deficit over $2 billion looming he will, no doubt, make cuts to programs and services.   When the 2008-2009 PA budget was passed at the end of June last year, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) arts grants received 0.04519% of the overall state budget.  These grants reach communities large and small, rural and urban.  Cuts made to these grants could have a devastating effect on arts organizations.  Some may have to close their doors.  It's up to us, as arts advocates, to see that this doesn't happen.   Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania will be monitoring the Governor's speech on Wednesday.  While we hope the outcome for the arts is positive, we need to be prepared to jump into action immediately if the arts recommendation includes a large cut.  Stay tuned.  

Jenny Hershour

Jenny Hershour Editor 

HOUSE STIMULUS PACKAGE INCLUDES $50 MILLION FOR NEA

The U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of the Economic Recovery Package on January 27, 2008 by a vote of 244 to 188 which included $50 million in supplemental grants funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The U.S. Senate is currently debating their version of the package which does not include additional funds for the NEA. The Senate bill is scheduled for a vote on Monday.   Please take a few minutes to write Senators Casey and Specter asking them to include supplemental funding for the arts in the Senate Economic Recovery Package.  Americans for the Arts has prepared a letter template that you can individual and will be e-mail to the Senators.  You can access this template by visiting http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=12426636&type=CO .

PA SCHOOL DISTRICT INITIATING STUDY TO SEE IF MUSIC INSTRUCTION IMPROVES TEST SCORES

The Schuylkill Valley School District, located in northern Berks County, is giving all 130 kindergarten students at Schuylkill Valley Elementary School violin lessons. The district is initiating a four year study to see if formal music instruction will increase test scores. More information about this program can be found at http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_11482147 .

WOULD A CABINET LEVEL POSITION FOR THE ARTS HELP OR HURT?

In an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal, Baylor University professor David A. Smith discusses why the arts shouldn't want a cabinet level position for the arts.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123274950159811407.html

NOMINATE A SCHOOL GROUP TO PERFORM AT THE 2009 ARTS IN EDUCATION DAY EVENT

Pennsylvania Arts in Education Day at the State Capitol is scheduled for April 1, 2009.  We are looking for outstanding school and youth community groups to perform and/or display their skills during this event.  If you know of any groups or individual students that exemplify the best in your community, nominate them for participation in the 2009 Arts in Education Day program.  You can nominate them by visiting:

http://www.citizensfortheartsinpa.org/documents/ 2009artsineducationdaynominationform.pdf 

Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2009.