I would like to comment on the Jan. 2 front page article, "Arts backers lament cuts." First, the people who are whining are not backers. They are not spending their own money to support the arts. Face it, these are "cultured" people who want to wallow in the arts on someone else's dime. Second, art becomes possible when a society is affluent enough to allow some to pursue the unnecessary and thus superfluous leisure activity known as art — instead of working for a living. Artists with merit sell at a profi t or find a patron, those who can not have to find productive work to support themselves.Third, the government has no business supporting art. There is no constitutional, ethical or moral basis for this. Ours is a capitalistic society. By definition, that means weak endeavors fail and strong ones succeed. In short, if you want to devote yourself entirely to art, then it is your responsibility to make a profit on your work, or at least to have a private sponsor/patron with deep pockets. Neither I nor the government have pockets that deep at this time.
I suggest that the Schenectady County government should not be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to support the operations of Proctor's Theater. The Metroplex awarded substantial funding over the years to Proctor's for renovations and expansion with the stated objectives of urban renewal and job creation. The county taxpayers should not be responsible for the continued funding of a business that operates within a business model that seemingly is not self-sustaining. This "not-for-profit" should be required to prosper or fail on its own merits and business decisions. Mr. Morris and the Proctor's management should seek increased corporate funding (donations) and strive to create a venue that results in greater draws at the box office. Further, it is my understanding that there are many areas that can be rented out for meetings. If there is no demand for such a facility, the question must be answered re: why it was constructed.
I agree with Mr. Mitwin that if the patrons want to support the arts and entertainment, then they should be willing to do so with their own money, not that of others. It is not, in my opinion, the role of government.
and except this and except that, and oh- don't forget this one and that one, before you know- EVERYONE gets the pie slice
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Schenectady County art groups continue to receive support
Posted on: 01/07/09 Jackie Sher email: news@spotlightnews.com
From bedrooms to galleries, Schenectady County’s Community Initiative Arts Grant Program (CIP) will continue for the 2009-2010 year.
Dedicated funds from Schenectady County’s Hotel/Motel Bed Tax will be distributed to local organizations in support of activities in historic preservation and the performing, visual and literary arts. Applications for this year are due by Friday, Feb. 13.
“We get probably in the neighborhood of 30 and 40 applications each year. … The monetary requests have been increasing over the years, but the number of applications have stayed about steady,” said Wendy Voelker, Schenectady County’s special events coordinator.
Last year, between 20 and 25 grants were awarded, ranging in amounts between $3,000 and $4,000 on average, she said.
“It’s a very competitive process because we only have about $36,000 dollars to redistribute,” said Voelker.
Any organizations serving Schenectady County community may apply. The following guidelines apply:
• Proposed projects must take place between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010, allowing the county to offer year-round support to organizations.
• Additional consideration will be given to those organizations who demonstrate collaboration with other Schenectady County nonprofit organizations to complete the project.
• Additional consideration will be given to projects that are proposed as part of an existing or proposed Schenectady County Special Event or as part of the Schenectady County Bicentennial Celebration in 2009.
Voelker said over the years, organizations that have applied include the Schenectady Heritage Area and the Kids Arts Fest. Funding went to the Schenectady Heritage Area for their Jazz on Jay Program, which features free jazz concerts every Thursday at noon during the summer in downtown Schenectady. The funding was used to pay for musicians. Funding for the Kids Arts Fest went towards hiring artists and musicians for the event. Funding also typically goes towards advertising for various happenings throughout the county.
“Schenectady County is proud of our County Initiative Program,” said Susan Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature in a written statement.
Grant awards are not guaranteed from year to year — awardees must re-apply each grant cycle — and applicants are required to be project specific in their proposal; requests for general operating support will not be considered.
“Historic preservation allows us to recognize the value of our rich heritage, and a thriving arts community is at the heart of the exceptional quality of life found here in Schenectady County. We are pleased to support those organizations that continue to make Schenectady County a great place to live and raise a family,” said Savage.
Complete guidelines, the application process and grant eligibility requirements are outlined in the 2009-2010 Schenectady County CIP Grant Application, which can be downloaded from the Schenectady County Web site, http://www.schenectadycounty.com.
Print application forms can be obtained by contacting Voelker at 388-4355 or at wendy.voelker@schenectadycounty.com; and are also available in the county manager’s office, sixth floor of the County Office Building, 620 State St., Schenectady.
You can contact news@spotlightnews.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below.
There is nothing the government can do to make good senior programs......trust me.....the folks involved with them make them.... the government ALWAYS has a union following.....very hard to ferret out those not interested.......hard enough in the 'real world' never mind union 'rules'........
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
The Jan. 9 letter, “Government doesn’t have to support art,” got me thinking about all the reasons that a government should continue to support the arts. Art is part of the fabric of humans. Art provides a shared communal experience. Art is a window on understanding historical events. Art is a solace in troubled times. Art can be a suggestion for a better way to live. Art is an outlet for those with talent. Art is an agent of change. Art is a mirror into the human condition. Art is not always grand and not only for the cultured. Art is an agent for good health. Art teaches us about our personal past and causes us to question our beliefs. Art is, and some would say most importantly, an economic engine. No artists I know are fully funded by any grant. All arts organizations I know of have to do fund raising and find supportive patrons. Schools use arts-in-education grants to augment very limited money for field trips to art events. The little extra given by the government allows for something important to happen, especially since most grants cannot be used for operating expenses alone. So, even in a capitalistic society, art deserves support. Our government already supports other businesses through tax incentives to entice them to come into their area. Why not art? It already exists in our area. Our government already supports an imposing military machine that kills as well as protects. Why not art? It can heal and uplift people. Our government already supports building large stadiums for sports in various cities. Why not art? We seldom have a “clear the bench” type of fight at the end of an opera. Art is all around us and it deserves our support, both as individuals and through government spending.
Given the state’s enormous budget deficit and the need to cut, it is hard to make a case for one particular sphere to be spared entirely, so we won’t do that when it comes to the arts. But if the Paterson administration is going to cut funding for arts organizations, it must at least do so fairly and equitably, and its reductions in grant funding for the New York State Council on the Arts are anything but fair and equitable. The governor’s budget proposal calls for cutting NYSCA’s budget from $46 million to $39 million. Along with another cut a few months ago, that would be a total reduction of 20 percent in one fiscal year — a huge whack. Most of NYSCA’s grant funding goes to small arts organizations with small budgets, which could easily go under if their entire grant were taken away. And that is exactly what would happen to 573 organizations, including Albany Center Gallery, under the Paterson formula. The formula doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t attempt to judge the merits of the arts organizations, nor does it cut all of them by the same amount. It would simply cut off those organizations that were scheduled to receive their grants last October and December, while those who received them in May and July all get to keep theirs. The unfortunate ones did nothing wrong; they submitted their paperwork last March, same as the lucky ones, but are on later NYSCA funding cycles. The Paterson administration should either give them the money they were due, or make it clear that the affected organizations will receive more in the coming year and the others less. It should also..................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00902
Isn't it funny how people who have different hobbies and interests are expected to fund them themselves, except for art which, as well know, was never created before the US Federal government began using other peoples' money to pay for it. The only art was paid for by government, right? RIGHT!!!!
If I go skiing, I am expected to foot the bill myself, right? If I enjoy gourmet cooking I better pony up. But if I like museums or like to paint or sculpt. the government should pay for it.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Don't expect Legislator Farley to take anything away from the arts. This is one thing that he is quite liberal on. You know, Schenectady's been around a long time, but he lives by the addage that a town/city is built around the theater, his reasoning for giving away all the $$ to Proctors.
Government art is by definition bad art. If it were good art it would be sold for a big profit. The better the art, the more it's worth, and that's the bottom line.
Could not agree more with Brad, Mr. Litwin of Scotia and Kevin but let me go a step further. This County cannot afford a insane "special events coordinator". To show bad movies on a Niskayuna School wall or worse to show a frozen movie on a vacant Center City? Another Kosiur-lite make work program for Krats. Enough is enough. There is nothing wrong with this County that a Reagan style huge property tax cut and cleaning out the County barn would not cure.
Re: Larry M. Litwin's Jan. 9 letter, "Arts backers lament cuts": The government has as much of a duty to support the arts as it does supporting anything else. Many fail to see how much of an impact artists have on our daily lives. Every man-made object in the world has been influenced, if not directly created, by some form of artist. Therefore, millions of jobs have their roots in the arts, and have depended on the basic fundamentals taught by many of the organizations that are fighting budget losses this year. Deeming art to simply be "unnecessary" and a "leisure activity" is about as valid an argument as saying driving to work is a leisure for those who are too lazy to walk. I am currently a junior pursuing a bachelor of fine arts in illustration at Pratt Institute. According to Mr. Litwin, once I graduate I won't be working for a living. The companies that will hire me to do anything from children's books to Flash Web design will only be doing so to support me in my "leisure activities." Before you choose not to support the arts, just think about the artists that design the car you drive, the house you live in and even the money that you are so desperate to keep to yourself.
Mr. Doig, While that is a type of art, it's not the type of art we're talking about. There's nothing productive about putting a play on stage at the cost of the taxpayers. You're talking about art for practical reasons, not art for art's sake.
In reply to the Jan. 9 letter, “Government doesn’t have to support art,” by Larry M. Litwin: I suppose the cavemen, so many millennia ago, were out of work and decided to spend their leisure time making cave paintings — or were just lazy good-for-nothings not wanting to work for a living. How absurd to infer that art has no place in a capitalistic society, and that art is a weak endeavor. How tragic that the writer has become so soured in his outlook because of the crisis we are all going through. The artist’s contribution is hardly less important than the one of the individual who sits at a computer all day seeking satisfaction from questionable Web sites. The inference that art is “an unnecessary and superfluous activity” is beyond reason or understanding by the writer. That music, drama, dance and painting uplift and give hope and joy to so many in hard times proves it to be a worthy cause worth the support.
Logged
Government art is by definition bad art. If it were good art it would be sold for a big profit. The better the art, the more it's worth, and that's the bottom line. 
