I hope at least the same level of funding goes to all the arts (i.e., performing arts, visual arts, etc.). I manage singer/songwriters, painters, etc. and over the last 3 years it has been a great experience working with all the cultural institutions and festivals in Indianapolis...I am sure they will all be impacted if the city budgets cut the arts grants, etc.

Maybe we should propose a meeting with the new mayor to discuss.

I would be happy to attend and support the rally.

I would be interesting in hearing from any artist how the previous administration's funding has helped them. And what percentage of support it is, when combined with patronage from art supporting private citizens.

he dont give a f*. oh well. create anyway.

There are far more important things for him to worry about after Peterson

i never said it was going to be number one on his list. hey, do me a favor; go get a gun, rob someone, spend the money on drugs, get high, repeat.

so because I think the arts are bulls---, i do those things???

the arts are very important, but I don't believe that my hard earned (i.e. taxes) money should go towards funding someones exibition.

not to be an uppity Artist, but you guys are idiots.

artist: a nice word for unemployed

a nice joke for uninformed

lmao, it's not like i don't appreciate the arts, i'm a big fan of music and porn, it's just that with my property taxes sky high, my income taxes recently increased by 65%, all the potholes in the road that my wife keeps hitting and getting flat tires, all the murders i see on the news on a nightly basis, the fact that i know people with 8 years of very expensive education that cant find a job, the fact that people can't afford to go to the doctor, i fail to see how using my money so tom otterman or the like can place silly little statues around downtown really does anything.

watching the flim "Equilibrium" will answer that question.

only a FRACTION of your property taxes are even funneled into the arts. there is money out there to repair roads and build stadiums and pay cops and teachers and support art that (believe it or not) make indy better.

i am afraid that those who see Art support as a waste are also aware that their neighborhoods are much safer than others. i am sure that citizens that are concerned with their money being wasted are aware of a shrinking manual work force due to the cutting of bus lines. im sure that the rich stay rich and the poor arent even thought of.

art encompasses all of these things in a way all may not like, but it is a means of communication more refined than just posting thoughts on a message board run by a company that has consistently screwed its news reading consumer by dumbing down information and cutting good talent (may i say 'artsit'?) for the sake of a few getting rich while the public gets nothing.

man, i have to go eat roast beef now. as an artist with a job, i wish you all the best in the new year. dont go and buy art, just think about it. thats what its there for.

Any fraction of my money is too much. I don't mean to be an uppity hater of the arts, but you're an idiot

I am curious why you are even on this "art" forum?

a user named "randydaytona" not being in support of publicly funded arts. UNTHINKABLE!

you sound like a typical indystar.com forum/topix user.

To discuss the topic.

and Ben, I do love commenting on Star articles and message boards! What's wrong with that?

geez, no one's gonna wanna express their "opinions" on here anymore for fear of being called names.

The Gentle Art of Making Enemies

or G.A.M.E, for short

amen my man

he IS obliged to spending tax dollars (and God forbid, private money) on what the citizens of his city want.

whitney, don't mention the NEA and money. the NEA has been cut down like a rain forest. before Bush, Its' annual budget was 1/100th of a percent of the US military budget. thats 0.001% without an illegal, unpopular war where colored foreign people die and rich white americans get richer.

i think the butter could be spread a little thicker for the sake of those that are creative. OH! and better public transit for those that need it (majority working class.)

money well spent on a citizens who deserve it.

hmmm, as a person with military people in the family, I think "foreign colored people" aren't the only ones dying. If it were up to me my man, we'd vote as a city on what we want our tax dollars to go to. If it's the arts, so be it, if it's more police thats fine too as long as the people have their voice. I know people (well a person) who hasn't worked in a decade, living off of grant money to create their "art". the mayor IS obliged to spend tax dollars, to me that means services that make the city run smoothly. Police, firefighters, street repair/maintenance, usable sidewalks, traffic lights, street lights, water, sewer, parks. if there's anything left over after that, and people want publicly funded art programs then fine. under no circumstances should the nea's budget approach that of the u.s. military. lets get rid of the nea for a year and see how much our lives are affected. then we'll do the same with the military. lets see which one we can't do without.

No one is asking the mayor to spend tax dollars on the Arts. You can support the Arts in far more important ways than just throwing money at them. (Though you can all pitch some my way...)

Peterson (who it is highly doubtful Ballard will be able to live up to in true Arts support) honestly adored the Arts. And believed in the fact that Indy could be an Arts destination.

TALK about the Arts. Make it APPEAR as if you THINK the Arts are important even if you don't ... makes you look smart Mr. Ballard. And remember, Talk is CHEAP! So, talk it up, go to the events, make a big deal about it... that helps just as much as the cash.

Are we saying that Punk Rock Night deserves government funding? We have survived over 7 years without... perhaps it is time to get a slice if they are giving out money.

Actually. no thanks. if PRN can't survive without the government police power of taxation then it is not worth saving. Why should I pull money from people that do not care about the art that we do? Perhaps you can talk me into it.

:)