Letter: Herger off mark on NEA remark

Cherry-picking something to complain about in the $787 billion stimulus bill ("How Did Wally Vote," Feb. 14), Congressman Wally Herger dismisses the National Endowment for the Art with a thoughtless question: "How will funding for the NEA grow our economy?"

Evidently, Mr. Herger is unaware that the unemployment rate in the fine arts sector is over 12 percent. Obviously, this is a small but vital sector of the economy, and appropriating $50 million, less than one-one hundredth of a percent of the total stimulus package, does not seem that outrageous.

"The compromise version of the stimulus bill . . . stipulates that funding goes for grants to activities and projects 'which preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn,' with 40 percent of the amount going to state arts agencies and regional arts organizations 'in a manner similar to the agency's current practice' and the remainder going out in competitive grants from the NEA" (http://www.nasaa-arts.org/nasaanews/leg-alert021309.htm).

NEA grants are often demonized as going to artists producing unsavory works at taxpayers' expense, but the grants support a plethora of activities that enrich communities across the nation: National tours of major artwork, support of orchestras, ballet and opera companies, live performances in theaters and at festivals, and educational programs for children and youth in art, creative writing, music, and dance (see http://www.nea.gov/grants/recent/index.html).

Besides enhancing our lives, these activities have a ripple effect that brings customers to local businesses, restaurants, hotels — and more jobs.

Lynne Koester
Yuba City