or G.A.M.E, for short

Because of my arts reporting career, I've been able to observe mayors deal with arts communities (or not) in three states over a long period. Outward political support of arts caught on in meaningful ways during the recessionary days of the early '80s, after President Reagan advocated cutting the National Endowment for the Arts budget, and pushed for support from states, cities and the private sector. It may be the right thing to do, but no mayor is obliged to back the arts. At times of crime waves and budget crunches, arts support will rarely be a big priority. Indianapolis was lucky that Mayor Peterson let the arts to be on his radar screen, by wanting Indy to be a cultural destination, supporting expansion of public art and helping national arts groups move headquarters here. Mayor Ballard may find ways to support the arts, but he is not obliged to. Meanwhile, he has other major issues needing his attention.

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.

Ty, I totally agree. One important way to support the arts is by suiting up and showing up. Peterson was a presence at several high-profile arts events I attended. The first I remember was an ISO press conference about a new arts education program.

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.

:)